By After ten days of competiting in various events, Team Nigeria ended its outing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in grand style, sitting pretty on the number seven spot on the medal log.
With a total of 35 medals — the highest recorded by any African country at the Games — Nigeria proved to the world that it’s indeed the “Giant of Africa” in all ramifications.
As of the end of Day 10, Team Nigeria had claimed 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze medals. The feat means that the country successfully erased its previous best performance recorded at the 1994 Commonwealth Games with 11 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze medals.
Interestingly, all the 12 gold medals won by Team Nigeria in Birmingham were claimed by women.
Adijat Adenike Olarinoye set the tone early, after setting a new record of 203kg to win gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event, beating India’s Bindyarani Sorokhaibam and England’s Fraer Morrow.
25-year-old weightlifter, Folashade Rafiatu Lawal won the Nigeria’s second gold after winning the women’s 59kg weightlifting event, in a record-breaking feat.
Nwachukwu Goodness of Team Nigeria then put on an incredible performance in the women’s discus throw F42-44/61-64 in Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium, breaking the world record twice before winning the event.
Moments later, Folashade Oluwafemiayo enthralled spectators with another sensational performance, as she set a new Commonwealth Games record and win gold for Nigeria in the para-powerlifting women’s heavyweight.
In the women’s wrestling, the trio of Miesinnei Mercy Genesis, Oduntayo Adekuoroye and Blessing Oborududu claimed gold in the 50 kg, 57 kg and 68 kg, respectively.
Reigning African champion, Chioma Onyekwere also won the women’s discus throw with a throw of 61.70m in her fourth attempt to take the lead. In the women’s F55-57 shot put, Eucharia Iyayi threw a new Commonwealth Games record of 10.03meters to win the gold medal for Nigeria.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, world champion Tobi Amusan clinched gold after finishing in 12.30 seconds in the finals to set a Commonwealth Games record.
The quartet of Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Grace Nwokocha claimed gold in the women’s 4×100 meters, while setting a new African record with a time of 42.10 seconds.
Long jumper, Ese Brume also registered a record-setting 7-meter leap to win Nigeria’s 12th gold medal in the competition. The 26-year-old also became a two-time Commonwealth Games champion in long jump.
