Nigeria secures six medals at 2026 Commonwealth Games, eyes more medals
Nigeria secured six medals on the opening day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, all from para powerlifting. Esther Nworgu won gold in the women’s lightweight class, while Esther Oyema took silver in the same event for a Nigerian one‑two. Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo claimed gold in the women’s heavyweight division with a world‑record lift of 175 kg, and Rita Ferdinand earned silver with a world‑record 158 kg lift. Riluwan Idris added gold in the men’s heavyweight, and veteran Roland Ezuruike took silver in the men’s lightweight.
The strong start puts Nigeria second on the medals table. Attention now shifts to swimming, where Abduljabar Adama will contest the men’s 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly, Clinton Opute will race the 50m freestyle, and Collin Obi Ebincha will swim the 100m butterfly; Dorcas Oka will represent Nigeria in the women’s 100m breaststroke. Later, Nigeria’s women’s 3×3 wheelchair basketball team opens its campaign against hosts Scotland, and David Akintola begins his bid in the men’s 80kg boxing bout. Nigeria also recorded a 21‑17 win over the Cayman Islands in men’s 3×3 basketball, while Ayomide Foly Hassan was eliminated in the 70kg boxing bout.
With confidence high after a medal‑rich opening day, fans can expect more medal challenges as the Games continue. Will you follow the swimming heats, wheelchair basketball clash, or boxing bouts to see if Nigeria adds to its medal tally?