African Open: Onyinyechi Shatters World Record as Nigeria Wins 49 Medals

Nigeria delivered a dominant performance at the African Open Para-Powerlifting Championships in Oran, finishing second overall with a total of 49 medals after standout lifter Onyinyechi Mark broke both world and African records on the final day.

Team Nigeria ended the four-day competition with 32 gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals, placing behind only Egypt, who topped the table with 84 medals comprising 47 gold, 28 silver and nine bronze.

The Nigerian contingent once again confirmed its status as one of the strongest forces in para-powerlifting on the continent, with multiple athletes delivering medal-winning performances across different weight categories.

The highlight of the tournament came from Onyinyechi Mark, who produced a record-breaking lift in the women’s 67kg category, setting new world and African records and sealing gold in emphatic fashion.

Another major success story was Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who secured gold in the women’s +86kg category, continuing her impressive run of dominance in international para-powerlifting competitions.

In the women’s 50kg event, Anigbogu Chikordi Esther claimed silver with a 114kg lift, narrowly missing out on gold to fellow Nigerian Ajiboye Rukayat, who lifted 115kg to secure victory in an all-Nigerian final showdown.

The championships also served as an important qualification pathway for upcoming global competitions, including the World Championships scheduled for December in Bahrain and ranking points toward the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

The event, organised by World Para Powerlifting in collaboration with the Algerian Handisport Federation, featured 151 athletes from 15 African nations as well as participants from countries in Asia and Europe, including Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Greece.

Nigeria’s strong medal haul reinforces its growing reputation in para-sports, particularly in powerlifting, where athletes continue to deliver consistent world-class performances on the international stage.