Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation to Host Kingsley Iwodi Open Championship
The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation has finalized plans to host the Kingsley Iwodi Para-Powerlifting Open Championship, which will take place from April 30 to May 4, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Package ‘B’, Abuja.
The championship is expected to showcase Nigeria’s dominance in para-powerlifting, bringing together some of the nation’s finest athletes. Arrival of participants is scheduled for April 30, with competitions running from May 1 to 3, before departure on May 4.
Among the star athletes set to compete are world champions Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Esther Oyema, Riluwan Idris, and Ogundolie Tolulope.
Oluwafemiayo, the reigning world champion in the +86kg category, continues to set the global standard and was recently nominated to the Athletes’ Representative Forum of the World Para Powerlifting Organisation (WPPO). Oyema, one of Nigeria’s most decorated para-athletes, remains the world champion in the 55kg category after defending her title at the 2025 World Championships in Cairo.
Since beginning her career in 2000, she has consistently dominated the sport, winning multiple gold medals at the Paralympic Games and Commonwealth Games, and becoming a three-time Commonwealth champion.
The Kingsley Iwodi Open Championship is expected to serve as a vital platform for talent discovery, athlete development, and preparation for upcoming international competitions. It underscores Nigeria’s commitment to excellence in para-sports and inclusive athletic development.
The Nigeria Para-Powerlifting Federation has extended an invitation to stakeholders, sports enthusiasts, and the general public to witness what promises to be an exciting display of strength, resilience, and national pride in Abuja.
