Maringa (pictured) will compete on the small platform at the imposing SEC Armadillo alongside "giants" of his sport, as he bids to lay down the sort of performance that could unlock more funding opportunities back home.

"It has been my dream to compete at these Games," said Maringa, who contests the Men's Lightweight category of Para Powerlifting, presented by Amul. "After the Paralympics, I would say this is the most valuable competition for me to aim for as an athlete. 

"It's such a big stage, and you know to qualify for Commonwealth Games is not a small task. You're competing with big giants like Nigeria and Malaysia, and those guys are really strong. 

"And you realise that in those big countries, athletes only concentrate on training. But for us in Kenya, you'll be challenged. There is a high level of unemployment and even if you are employed, you are paid very little, so you are training and at the same time you are working."

Maringa, 34, was born and raised in Embu County on the semi-arid southeastern slope of Mount Kenya, where there is a reliance on drought-resistant farming. 

After leaving high school he moved to Nairobi to further his studies and now has a low-level government job to support his training. But this, he says, is not enough. 

Tough competition

"The government only comes to help when you go to a competition," Maringa said. "They don't give you an annual allowance. So when I was in Algeria for the African championships in May, we were given 60 US dollars a day for eight days.

"That is very little, because in a year, you may find yourself going for competition for maybe once or twice. So that money cannot support your training. 

"But Powerlifting is very important to me, because it has given me exposure and discipline. To maintain your body weight and improve, you need to be disciplined enough to know what you're going to eat, and to control your lifestyle."

Maringa faces tough competition in Glasgow, not least from Malaysia's two-time Paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin and 50-year-old Roland Ezuruike (NGR), who lifted 20kg more than Maringa in the Men’s Lightweight category in Algeria.

"For me here, let me see what I can do," Maringa said. "I'll be facing stiff competition from Bonnie and Roland, but I'll be trying to beat my personal best. Currently that is 151 kilogrammes. I'm looking forward to lifting 160."

Para Powerlifting, presented by Amul, takes place at the SEC Armadillo on Friday 24 July. For the full Games competition schedule, click here.