Nigeria’s para powerlifting queen, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, will spearhead Team Nigeria’s campaign as the country begins its quest for medals at the 2026 African Open Championships in Oran Algeria, today.
Over 150 athletes from 20 nations set to compete for crucial LA28 Paralympic qualification ranking points.
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The championships, scheduled for May 21 to 24 at the Miloud Hadefi Olympic Complex in Oran, represent the third regional event in the 2026 World Para Powerlifting season after earlier competitions in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Bangkok, Thailand.
Nigeria heads into the competition with one of the strongest contingents at the championships, boasting 13 athletes, including Paralympic champions, world champions and record holders determined to maintain the country’s dominance on the African stage.
Leading the Nigerian charge is Folashade Oluwafemiayo, the multiple-time world champion and Paralympic gold medallist competing in the women’s +86kg category.
Oluwafemiayo will be joined by fellow Paralympic stars, including Mark Onyinyechi in the women’s -67kg division and Esther Oyema in the women’s -55kg class.
Nigeria’s team also features rising contenders such as Nworgu Esther and Rita Ferdinard, both of whom impressed at the Cairo 2025 World Championships.
Rita Ferdinard notably stunned China’s Paralympic champion Miaoyu Han in Cairo, further underlining Nigeria’s growing depth in the sport.
The African Open Championships form a mandatory part of the qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, making the competition particularly important for athletes seeking valuable ranking points.
Nigeria will also use the championships as preparation for other major international events later in the year, including the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Host nation Algeria will field the largest contingent with 27 athletes, while Egypt arrives with 20 competitors and Iran with 16.
A total of 152 athletes, comprising 92 men and 59 women — will compete across four days of intense action in Oran, popularly known as the “Pearl of the Mediterranean.”
Algeria’s challenge will be led by home favourite Hocine Bettir, a two-time Paralympic bronze medallist and former world champion competing in the men’s up to 72kg category.
The host nation will also rely on experienced athletes such as Nadia Medjmedj and Adra Lamia in the women’s events.
Egypt’s powerful squad includes reigning Paralympic and world champions Mohamed Elmenyawy and Rehab Ahmed.
Legendary Egyptian lifter Sherif Osman is also expected to draw attention as he competes in a new weight category.
Outside Africa, Jordan’s Paralympic icons Abdelkareem Khattab and Omar Qarada will be among the athletes aiming for podium finishes.
Iran will also look to dominate the heavyweight divisions through Paralympic champions Aliakbar Gharibshahi and Aminzadeh Ahmad.
The championships will feature three days of individual events before concluding with the team competition on the final day.
With Nigeria traditionally regarded as one of the strongest nations in para powerlifting, expectations remain high that the country will once again finish among the leading medal-winning nations in Oran.
