Onyinyechi Mark Breaks World Record as Nigeria Finishes Second at African Open

Nigeria delivered an outstanding performance at the African Open Para-Powerlifting Championships in Oran, Algeria, finishing second overall with a remarkable haul of 49 medals.

Team Nigeria ended the four-day competition with 32 gold, 12 silver and five bronze medals, finishing behind Egypt, which topped the medals table with 84 medals.

The biggest highlight of the championships came from Onyinyechi Mark, who shattered both the world and African records in the women’s 67kg category.

Her historic performance further reinforced Nigeria’s growing reputation as one of the dominant forces in global para-powerlifting.

Another standout performer was Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who clinched gold in the women’s +86kg category to continue her impressive run on the continental stage.

In the women’s 50kg event, Anigbogu Chikordi Esther secured silver after lifting 114kg, narrowly losing to fellow Nigerian Ajiboye Rukayat, who won gold with a successful 115kg lift in an intense all-Nigerian contest.

The African Open also served as a qualification event for the World Championships scheduled to hold in Bahrain later this year.

Athletes additionally earned valuable ranking points toward qualification for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

The championships, organised by World Para Powerlifting in partnership with the Algerian Handisport Federation and supervised by Algeria’s Ministry of Sports, featured 151 athletes from 15 African countries.

 Competitors from Asian nations including Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Bahrain also participated, alongside Greece from Europe.

Nigeria’s strong performance in Oran has once again highlighted the country’s dominance in para-powerlifting and strengthened hopes for further success on the global stage.