Team Nigeria has opened its medal account at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after Paralympic champion Roland Ezuruike claimed silver in the Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting event.
Ezuruike produced a 153.9kg lift at the SEC Armadillo to secure Nigeria’s first medal of the Games.
The Nigerian matched England’s Mark Swan on 153.9kg, but the Englishman was awarded the gold medal on countback.
Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin completed the podium after lifting 153.5kg to claim bronze.
Ezuruike’s silver puts Nigeria on the medals table and provides an early boost to the country’s campaign as Team Nigeria targets between 16 and 20 gold medals, in line with the National Sports Commission’s target.
Reacting to his podium finish, Ezuruike expressed delight at delivering Nigeria’s first medal while predicting more success for the country in Glasgow.
He said: “I’m grateful to have won Nigeria’s first medal at these Games. Every time I step onto the platform, my goal is to make my country proud.
“Of course, every athlete wants gold, but this silver is a good way for us to begin, and I believe more medals will follow for Team Nigeria.”
Ezuruike was visibly emotional after his final lift as he acknowledged cheers from Nigerian supporters, while teammates and officials applauded his performance.
Fellow Nigerian Ibrahim Dauda also competed in the event, producing a 140.1kg lift to finish fifth.
Earlier, Scotland’s Finlay Davidson topped Group B with 141.4kg before the stronger Group A athletes completed their attempts to determine the medal positions.
It was also an encouraging opening day for Nigeria in other events.
Before Ezuruike secured the country’s first medal, Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 basketball team defeated the Cayman Islands 21-17 in their opening Pool A fixture.
Swimmer Clinton Opute also began Nigeria’s campaign in the pool by competing in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley.
Nigeria arrived in Glasgow with 74 athletes competing across 10 sports.
The country entered the Games with an overall Commonwealth Games haul of 271 medals comprising 82 gold, 84 silver and 105 bronze.
Ezuruike’s silver becomes Nigeria’s first addition to that tally at Glasgow 2026, with further medal opportunities still to come.
