Nigerian para-powerlifter, Esther Nworgu, won Nigeria’s first gold medal in the women’s lightweight para powerlifting event, at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, while Esther Onyema claimed silver.
Nworgu put on a masterclass on the platform, outlifting competitors in a thrilling showdown to secure the top spot on the podium. The victory adds to Nigeria’s strong momentum in Scotland.
Nworgu was in good form, setting two Games Record to win gold for Nigeria. She led a Nigerian 1-2 as Esther Oyema secured silver with a best lift of 125kg and 115.5 points.
England’s Olivia Broome took Bronze with 119kg and 106.6 points.
The milestone gold medal reinforces expectations that athletics and weightlifting will serve as Nigeria’s primary sources of glory at the Glasgow Games.
With administrative reforms and focused preparation paying off early, Team Nigeria’s athletes are proving to be formidable contenders across multiple disciplines.
As the competition progresses, the contingent will look to use Nwogu’s golden triumph as a springboard to secure even more podium finishes for the nation.
Roland Ezuruike
Nigerian para-powerlifter, Roland Ezuruike, clinched Nigeria’s first medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning a Silver medal in the men’s Lightweight Group A Powerlifting event.
Ezuruike came very close to winning Gold medal, but narrowly missed out on a Games Record of 190kg in his last attempt.
He accumulated a total of 153.9 points after two successful lifts.
The outstanding performances gave Team Nigeria a memorable start to its Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow.
Men’s 3×3 Basketball
Australia beat Nigeria 21-15 in the men’s 3×3 basketball at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Ikechukwu Nwamu led the Nigerian scoring with nine points, but the Australians proved too strong to secure the win.
Nigeria had opened their campaign with victory over the Cayman Islands and will face New Zealand next, with a semifinal place still well within reach.
Boxing
Nigeria’s Ayomide Foly Hassan was in action in the men’s 70kg Round of 32., but lost 4-0 on points to Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai, who progressed to the Round of 16.
The Nigerian boxer thought he had won, and was expecting to be announced as the winner, but Thai was adjudged the win in what was a close contest.
