Ghanaian para powerlifting star Tahiru Haruna delivered an outstanding performance at the ORAN African Open Championships 2026 in Algeria, securing a bronze medal in the highly competitive Men’s Over 107kg category.
Haruna finished behind two Iranian athletes who claimed the gold and silver medals respectively.
In an additional landmark achievement, the Ghanaian athlete was officially recognised as the Number One Ranked Athlete in Africa in the Men’s 107kg+ division and was presented with a special gold medal for topping the continental rankings.
The achievement marks another major milestone for Ghana’s growing presence in international para powerlifting and strengthens the country’s qualification prospects for the 2028 Summer Paralympics.
Haruna’s performance in Oran highlighted his resilience, discipline, strength, and consistency as he competed against some of the world’s top para powerlifters, reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s leading heavyweight athletes.
Following his success in Algeria, Haruna is expected to continue his international campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in July, where he aims to improve his performance totals, gain additional world ranking points, and strengthen his qualification bid for Los Angeles 2028.
Speaking after the competition, Haruna dedicated the achievement to Ghana and to the leadership vision driving the development of para sports in the country.
“We have been pushing to reach the top. We won the medals for President Samson Deen for his ‘Mount the Podium Agenda’ set in 2025, which calls for discipline and hard work,” he stated.
The latest success adds to Ghana’s growing medal haul at the African Open Championships and highlights the determination of Ghanaian para athletes to compete successfully at the highest international level despite limited resources and support.
With preparations toward LA 2028 already underway, Haruna’s rise continues to inspire a new generation of para athletes across Ghana and the African continent.
