Wahala don show as reigning Commonwealth discus champion, Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons, dey plan to enter two sports for 2026 Commonwealth Games wey go happen for Glasgow. E go be di first time wey person go dey do dual-sport for di Games, and Chioma no wan make am ordinary at all!
Di African record holder for discus go dey explore di options to compete for athletics and weightlifting, and she don talk say she dey hopeful make Nigeria give am di green light to carry on di double wahala. Na serious ambition wey dey fuel am as she dey try to make history for our backyard.
As she dey talk to PUNCH Sports Extra, she say, “I dey try see if Nigeria go allow me do dis dual sport for di Commonwealth Games. E never happen before. Dis one go be history!” Make we no forget say dis babe don already win gold for discus at di 2022 Games wey happen for Birmingham. She also na three-time African champion. If you no sabi, now you sabi!
Chioma don join weightlifting this year, and her debut for di sport don show say she dey serious. For one competition wey happen recently, she snatch 75kg and do clean and jerk for 106kg. She even talk say di event pressure no be small but she enjoy am well. Na so her respect for athletes wey dey into di sport don increase.
For now, her athletics calendar dey quiet as she never start her 2026 season. Last time wey we see am na for di Islamic Solidarity Games for Riyadh where she land fourth for dia discus competition. But no worry, we go still dey expect her to defend her Commonwealth title later this year.
To qualify for di weightlifting event for Glasgow, Chioma need meet better eligibility requirements; she go need participate in at least two International Weightlifting Federation events from June 1, 2025, to May 18, 2026. E get levels wey dem dey use rank athletes, and Chioma dey hope say she fit make di cut. Nigeria dey known well for weightlifting, we don grab two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals for di last Commonwealth Games.
If dem approve her dream as she dey plan, Chioma go dey try market her skills as Africa’s best discus thrower plus new journey for weightlifting. Na serious crossover wey go show say Naija athletes fit carry two sports on dia shoulder, no be small matter!
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