Two gold medals from male competitors in Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland are part of a stunning pattern that shows determination in the contingent to beat their achievements of four years ago.
Sports247 reports that no male gold medalist appeared in a record breaking outing for Team Nigeria at Birmingham 2022, as the contingent won a total of 35 medals (12 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze), with all the first placed spots going to female competitors.
However, the story of Glasgow 2026 is unfolding a startling new pattern, as Team Nigeria started with a record breaking opening day and they briefly topped the medal table, before ending it in third place (with three gold and three silver), but more was to come.
At the end of Monday in the Scottish mega-city, Nigeria had secured six gold medals, keeping the country high on the medals table in fourth place, with the spread coming from para-powerlifting and weigthlifting as well as one in hammer throw, mostly females, but two men also got on the cards.
Nigeria’s six gold medals started on Sunday with record-breaking performances in powerlifting, as Esther Nworgu set two Games records in the women’s lightweight class, Folashade Oluwafemiayo also got a new world record, and Riluwan Idris secured gold in the men’s heavy class.
Games’ records also tumbled in weightlifting, all on Monday, with heroics from Edidiong Joseph Umoafia (71kg), Onome Didih (53kg) and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (58kg), thereby paving the way for the possibility of the contingent getting the milestone 16 to 20 gold medals espied by their officials.
Monday’s efforts placed Nigeria high on the medals’ table, behind Australia, England and Canada, but ahead of Scotland, Kenya, Jamaica and <a href="https://absafricatv9491.live-website.com/south-africa-and-nigeria-strengthen-ties-through-migration-dialogue-law/" title="<a href="https://absafricatv9491.live-website.com/south-africa-zambia-exchange-military-nursing-students-under-bilateral-agreement/" title="South Africa, Zambia exchange military nursing students under bilateral agreement”>South Africa and Nigeria Strengthen Ties Through Migration Dialogue | Law”>South Africa, as the contingent of 72 athletes – competing in 10 sports – showed that they are determined to justify heavy cash rewards coming from their government.
Director-general of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Bukola Olopade beamed with delight, as he declared: “We said athletes’ welfare was number one, (because) it is very demoralising when athletes don’t get the feeling that they are appreciated. It is about patriotism, but it is also about rewards.”
Sports247 gathered further that, at the end of Day 5 in Glasgow, Australia topped the medals table with 26 gold, while England ranked second with eight, Canada third with seven, Nigeria fourth (6 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), as Scotland and South Africa also stand strong in the top six.
Esther Nworgu: Para Powerlifting (Women’s Lightweight)
Folashade Oluwafemiayo: Para Powerlifting (Women’s Heavyweight)
Riluwan Idris: Para Powerlifting (Men’s Heavyweight)
Edidiong Umoafia: Weightlifting
Roland Ezuruike: Para Powerlifting
Esther Oyema: Para Powerlifting (Women’s Lightweight)
Rita Ferdinand: Para Powerlifting
Ruth Asuquo Nyong: Weightlifting (Women’s 48kg, 168kg total lift)
▶️Esther Oyema: Silver in the women’s lightweight event (125kg).
▶️Rita Ferdinand: Silver in the women’s heavyweight event (158kg world record lift).
▶️Roland Ezuruike: Silver in the men’s lightweight event.
▶️Mary Osijo: Bronze in weightlifting.
▶️Chioma Onyekwere: Gold in the women’s discus throw (61.70 meters).
▶️Obiageri Amaechi: Bronze in the women’s discus throw (56.99 meters).
