Tonye Apiri
Nigeria got off to a strong start at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing six medals, three of them gold, thanks to a dominant performance by the country’s para powerlifting squad on day one.
The Games, scheduled to run through August 2, have drawn roughly 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories across the Commonwealth, who will compete in 10 sports.
Nigeria’s gold medals were won by Esther Nworgu in the women’s lightweight division, Folashade Oluwafemiayo in the women’s heavyweight class, and Riluwan Idris in the men’s heavyweight category.
Roland Ezuruike gave Nigeria its first medal with a silver in the men’s lightweight event. Esther Oyema and Rita Ferdinand added two more silver medals.
Oluwafemiayo’s performance was outstanding as she broke her own world record twice before sealing gold with a lift of 175kg. Ferdinand also set a world record during her event, where she took silver.
The early haul briefly put Team Nigeria at the summit of the medals table, with organisers highlighting the country’s para powerlifting performance as a key moment from the opening day.
In other events, Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 basketball team beat the Cayman Islands 21-17 but went on to lose 21-15 to Australia and 21-10 to New Zealand.
In boxing, Ayomide Foly Hassan was eliminated in the Round of 32 by Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai. Swimmer Clinton Opute also bowed out after failing to advance from the heats of the men’s 200m individual medley.