Nigeria Wins 6 Medals on Day One at Commonwealth Games

Team Nigeria made history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, sweeping three of four available gold medals in para powerlifting on opening day in Glasgow. The six total medals launched Nigeria to second place on the medals table, trailing only Australia.

Esther Nworgu kicked off the gold rush in the women's lightweight division, lifting 123kg to score 119 points. Her performance shattered two Commonwealth Games records and set the tone for an unforgettable day.

Fellow Nigerian Esther Oyema joined her on the podium with silver, making it a Nigerian one-two finish. The pair's combined strength showed the depth of talent in the country's para powerlifting program.

Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo delivered the most spectacular performance of the day in the women's heavyweight category. She lifted 175kg to set a new world record with 134.8 points, successfully defending her Commonwealth title.

Rita Ferdinand made it another Nigerian sweep in that event, earning silver while setting her own world record lift of 158kg. Her 128.2 points secured yet another podium doubling for the West African nation.

Riluwan Idris completed the golden trio by winning the men's heavyweight category ahead of England's Matthew Harding. His victory capped off a perfect day for Nigeria's para powerlifting squad.

Veteran Roland Ezuruike, 50, opened Nigeria's medal count with silver in the men's lightweight event. Though he narrowly missed gold after failing his final attempt at a Commonwealth record, he extended his remarkable medal-winning career spanning nearly two decades.

Why This Inspires

Nigeria's para powerlifters arrived in Glasgow after completing a high-performance training camp in Aberdeen and benefiting from improved athlete welfare initiatives. The investment in these athletes is paying off in spectacular fashion, proving that proper support and preparation can elevate champions to world-record heights.

These athletes aren't just winning medals. They're rewriting record books and inspiring a generation back home to pursue their dreams regardless of physical challenges.

With six medals secured before most teams even warmed up, Nigeria has announced itself as a force to be reckoned with at these Games.