By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Team Nigeria has opened its medal account at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after Paralympian Roland Ezuruike won a silver medal in the Men’s Lightweight Group A Para Powerlifting event.
Ezuruike lifted a total of 153.9 points to secure second place, narrowly missing out on gold after failing in an ambitious Games record attempt of 190kg on his final lift.
The silver medal earned the Nigerian an instant $2,000 cash reward under the National Sports Commission’s athlete incentive programme, along with an additional $2,000 performance bonus, bringing his total reward to $4,000.
The medal marks Nigeria’s first podium finish at the Games and reflects the Commission’s renewed commitment to rewarding outstanding performances.
Team Nigeria also celebrated a historic milestone in basketball as the country’s 3×3 team recorded its first-ever Commonwealth Games victory, defeating the Cayman Islands 21-17.
Esosa Okundaye and Ikechukwu “Ike” Nwamu led the scoring with six points each in an impressive team performance.
Speaking after the match, Nwamu credited the victory to months of intensive preparation, including training sessions with the Netherlands national team, the Paris 2024 Olympic champions.
“It was a great match. We fought hard and our preparations paid off as we won Nigeria’s first game in 3×3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games,” he said.
He also thanked the National Sports Commission for providing the team with quality training opportunities ahead of the Games.
Nigeria will return to the court later on Friday to face Australia before concluding the group stage against New Zealand in pursuit of a place in the knockout rounds.
In boxing, however, Ayomide Foly Hassan exited the competition in the Round of 32 after a closely contested bout against Refiloe Thai. Despite believing he had done enough to secure victory, the judges awarded the contest to his opponent.
Team Nigeria’s attention now turns to more medal opportunities later on Friday.
In para powerlifting, Esther Oyema and Esther Nworgu will compete in the women’s lightweight events, while reigning world champion Rita Ferdinand and multiple Paralympic and Commonwealth champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo will contest the women’s heavyweight categories. Rilwan Idris will compete in the men’s heavyweight division.
In boxing, Abdulramon Abdulwahab will represent Nigeria in the men’s 68kg division as Team Nigeria continues its quest for more medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
