Ezuruike Wins Nigeria’s First Medal At 2026 Commonwealth Games

Roland Ezuruike has won Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, taking silver in the men’s Lightweight Group A para-powerlifting event.

Ezuruike finished with 153.9 points after two successful lifts, giving Team Nigeria its first podium finish of the Games.

Premium Times and Vanguard reported that the 50-year-old narrowly missed gold after failing with a final attempt at a Commonwealth Games record 190kg. Daily Post also reported the 153.9-point total and the silver medal finish.

England’s Mark Swan won gold, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin took bronze. Daily Post reported that another Nigerian, Ibrahim Dauda, lifted 140.1kg and finished fifth in the same event.

The medal continues Ezuruike’s long run as one of Nigeria’s most reliable para-powerlifters on the international stage. For Team Nigeria, it also gives the Glasgow campaign an early lift as athletes continue across other events.

Daily Post reported that Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 basketball team also opened Pool A with a 21-17 win over the Cayman Islands earlier in the day.

Sources: Premium Times, Vanguard and Daily Post.