50-year-old Ezuruike wins Nigeria’s first medal at Commonwealth Games

Roland Ezuruike has secured Nigeria’s first medal at the 2025 Commonwealth Games, earning silver in the men’s lightweight para-powerlifting event.

The 50-year-old delivered an impressive performance, lifting nearly four times his body weight with a 187kg effort on his second attempt. This put him level on 153.9 points with England’s Mike Swan as both athletes headed into the final lift.

However, Ezuruike fouled on his last attempt and ultimately settled for silver.

Swan went on to claim the gold medal despite also missing his final lift, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Gustin took bronze.

The result marks a slight drop from Ezuruike’s performance at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where he won gold in the same event. He is also a Paralympic champion, having clinched gold in the men’s 54kg category at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Fellow Nigerian competitor Ibrahim Dauda finished fifth in the men’s lightweight para-powerlifting event.

In men’s 3×3 basketball, Nigeria opened their campaign with a 21–17 victory over the Cayman Islands in their first Pool A match. They are scheduled to face Australia and New Zealand later on Friday at 5:25 pm and 7 pm, respectively.

Meanwhile, in swimming, Clinton Opute placed sixth in the first heat of the men’s 200m individual medley.

Nigeria will be aiming for more success in para-powerlifting as Folasade Oluwafemiayo competes in the women’s heavyweight event on Friday evening.