Commonwealth Games: Golden day for Nigeria

Team Nigeria put up a dominant display to make a clean sweep of all Gold medals at stake in the Para Powerlifting event at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Australia, as Ibrahim Abdulazeez struck Gold on Tuesday in the men’s Heavyweight category.

Roland Ezuruike had already inspired a 1-2 for the country in the men’s Lightweight category, Esther Oyema replicated same in the women’s Lightweight category, albeit with a World Record, while Ndidi Nwosu also dominated the women’s Heavyweight class.

And Abdulazeez who won the Heavyweight title in Glasgow four years ago, was left to finish the job, which he did, snatching the win with a lift of 220kg, amassing a total of 191.9 points despite failing his attempt on 221kg.

Malaysia’s Yee Khie Jong claimed Silver, also with 220kg, while India’s Sachin Chaudhary settled for Bronze with a lift of 201kg.

The Powerlifting team certainly changed the game for Nigeria on Day 6 of Games, winning a total of six medals – four GOLD and two Silver, and taking the country’s tally in Gold Coast to eight medals.