Commonwealth Games: Nigeria’s Nnamdi powers to bronze in Para-Powerlifting

From BUNMI OGUNYALE, Birmingham

Nigeria’s Innocent Nnamdi made it to the podium after placing third in the men’s lightweight Para-Powerlifting final at the ongoing Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Nnamdi got 132.5 points to finish behind Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin who created a new Commonwealth Games record en route to his para powerlifting gold medal on Thursday.

With the victory, the Malaysian also ended Nigeria’s dominance in the event since the sport was included at the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

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England’s Mark Swan with 145.5 points who won the silver medal joined Bonnie and Nnamdi on the podium.

The two-time world champion and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist immediately set a Games record of 147.6 points by lifting 210kg on his first attempt.

He went on to surpass it again with subsequent lifts and eventually achieved 154.6 points with a 220kg lift — 10kg short of the world record of 230kg he set in 2021.

Nnamdi’s effort has also earned Nigeria her ninth medal at the Games.