By Ghazali Ibrahim
Team Nigeria has made an impressive start to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the country’s athletes delivering standout performances in para powerlifting and weightlifting while track and field stars began their quest for more medals.
Nigeria’s latest gold medal came through Rafiatu Lawal, who produced a dominant display to win the women’s 58kg weightlifting event. Lawal’s victory further strengthened Nigeria’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading weightlifting nations and added to the country’s growing medal haul.
Para powerlifting has once again proved to be Nigeria’s strongest event at the Games. Roland Ezuruike opened the country’s medal account by winning silver in the men’s lightweight Group A event after a closely contested competition.
Ezuruike narrowly missed out on gold after England’s Mark Swan edged him on the coefficient tie-break rule despite both athletes finishing level on points.
Nigeria also dominated the women’s lightweight para powerlifting event, where Esther Nworgu and Esther Oyema delivered outstanding lifts to secure a one-two finish.
Nworgu broke the Commonwealth Games record on her way to gold, while Oyema claimed silver, underlining Nigeria’s continued dominance in the sport.
Another Nigerian star, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, also made headlines after smashing a world record en route to winning gold in para powerlifting, reinforcing her status as one of the country’s most successful para athletes. Her performance helped Nigeria finish among the early leaders on the medal table.
Attention has now shifted to athletics, where several Nigerian stars are chasing medals. World record holder Tobi Amusan is aiming to win an unprecedented third consecutive Commonwealth Games title in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, while sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi safely progressed from the men’s 100m heats to keep Nigeria’s hopes alive on the track.
In the field events, Nigerian hammer thrower Sade Olatoye finished 10th in her qualification group and missed out on a place in the final, ending her medal hopes in the event.
The Games, which run from July 23 to August 2, feature athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations competing across 10 sports in Glasgow. Nigeria has traditionally been one of Africa’s strongest teams at the Commonwealth Games and is once again relying on its strength in powerlifting, weightlifting, athletics and boxing to boost its medal tally before the competition concludes.
