The Kingsley Awodi Para Powerlifting Open Championship kicked off in Abuja on May 1 with over N5.4 million in prize money set to reward Nigeria’s strongest athletes.
Organizers confirmed that 120 podium spots across 20 weight categories will be paid, with winners in each class taking home N100,000. Second place earns N70,000, third gets N50,000, while 4th, 5th, and 6th place finishers will receive N30,000, N15,000, and N7,000 respectively.
*Prize Breakdown:*
– *1st Place:* N100,000 x 20 categories = N2,000,000
– *2nd Place:* N70,000 x 20 categories = N1,400,000
– *3rd Place:* N50,000 x 20 categories = N1,000,000
– *4th Place:* N30,000 x 20 categories = N600,000
– *5th Place:* N15,000 x 20 categories = N300,000
– *6th Place:* N7,000 x 20 categories = N140,000
– *Total Prize Purse:* N5,440,000
The three-day championship began May 1 with the arrival of athletes and a technical meeting to set competition standards. Lifting action runs from May 1 through May 3.
The event, bankrolled by philanthropist Kingsley Awodi, is designed to deepen Nigeria’s talent pool and give para athletes consistent competition and financial reward. Nigeria remains a global powerhouse in para powerlifting, and championships like this keep the next generation of medalists sharp and motivated.
With over 100 lifters expected to compete for cash and national ranking points, the Kingsley Awodi Open is set to raise the bar for para sports funding and visibility in Nigeria.
