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

The 50-year-old lifted 187kg—almost four times his body weight—on his second attempt to tie England’s Mike Swan on 153.9 points in the battle for gold heading into the final lift.

However, Ezuruike failed his third attempt and had to settle for the silver medal. Swan also missed his final lift but secured the gold medal, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Gustin claimed bronze.

The silver represents a step down from the gold medal Ezuruike won in the same event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

Ezuruike is also a Paralympic champion, having won gold in the men’s 54kg para-powerlifting event at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

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

In the men’s 3×3 basketball competition, Nigeria opened its Pool A campaign with a 21-17 victory over the Cayman Islands.

The team will face Australia and New Zealand later on Friday at 5:25 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.

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

Nigeria will be hoping for more medals in para-powerlifting when Folasade Oluwafemiayo competes in the women’s heavyweight event later on Friday.