Onyekwere-Lyons Weightlifting Bid Continues After USA Event
By: Akinde .S. Oluwaseun
Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons is chasing a dream. A big one. Most athletes pick one sport. She wants two. It is rare. Nigeria’s Commonwealth discus champion is now lifting heavy iron too. She continued her bid to qualify for weightlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. This happened after competing in the 86+kg category at the VIRUS Weightlifting Series 1. The event was in United States. Reportersroom saw the details. It is interesting story.
Results released by USA Weightlifting on Monday show the truth. Onyekwere-Lyons finished 22nd overall. It was in the heavyweight division. The competition forms part of the national weightlifting circuit. The 31-year-old lifter represent Optimus Barbell Club. She recorded a total lift of 172kg. This come after successfully completing a 73kg snatch. Then a 99kg clean and jerk. She weighed in at 107.75kg for the event. Heavy but strong.
Her performance placed her 30th in the snatch rankings. And 21st in the clean and jerk standings. Not top tier yet. But she is trying. The event marked another step. Nigerian athlete attempt to secure necessary competition appearances. Required to qualify for weightlifting at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She is also hoping to defend her discus title there. Imagine doing both. Throwing discus then lifting weights. It is madness. But she is dedicated. Fans love it.
The VIRUS Weightlifting Series 1 is the opening competition. There is a three-event national circuit under USA Weightlifting. Series 2 scheduled for October. Finals set for December. The tournament is regarded as one of the largest Olympic weightlifting meets. In the United States. Forms part of the federation’s national competition calendar. Attracting hundreds of athletes across multiple weight categories. And age divisions too.
The 2026 edition of the competition took place between March 5 and 8. At the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. During the Arnold Sports Festival. Big stage. Caitlin Thilges of 1Kilo won the 86+kg category. She had a total lift of 240kg. Recording 100kg in the snatch. And 140kg in the clean and jerk. Stephanie Gousse finished second. Combined 226kg. Marissa Delgado placed third on 205kg. The gap is big. Chioma have work to do.
Onyekwere-Lyons is the reigning Commonwealth champion in the discus. Won gold at the 2022 Games in Birmingham. Recently ventured into Olympic weightlifting. Pursues a rare dual-sport appearance at the 2026 Games. To qualify for the weightlifting competition in Glasgow, athletes must compete. At least two sanctioned events during the qualification period. Runs until May 18, 2026. Time is ticking.
If she succeeds in securing qualification. And approval from Nigerian authorities. Onyekwere-Lyons could attempt an unprecedented feat. Competing in both athletics and weightlifting at the same Commonwealth Games. History in the making. Or maybe just hard work. Reportersroom think she has the heart. But the body must agree. Training is tough. Recovery is harder. Fans are watching closely. Will she make it? Only time will tell. The road to Glasgow is long. She need to improve the numbers. 172kg is good start. But winners lift 240kg. She know what to do. Train hard. Eat well. Sleep. Repeat. That is the life of athlete.
