Nigeria wins three gold as Commonwealth Games begin
Nigeria's para powerlifting team secured three gold medals on the opening day of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The team's strong performance, including multiple world records, briefly placed Nigeria at the top of the medal table.
Why it matters
This highlights the significant impact of para-athletes in international sports and showcases Nigeria's growing prominence in global powerlifting competitions.
NIGERIA made an impressive start to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow winning six medals, including three golds, as the country’s para powerlifting team dominated the opening day.
The Games , which runs until August 2, attracted about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing across 10 sports.
The gold medals came through Esther Nworgu in the women’s lightweight category, Folashade Oluwafemiayo in the women’s heavyweight event and Riluwan Idris in the men’s heavyweight division.
Roland Ezuruike opened Nigeria’s medal account with a silver medal in the men’s lightweight event, while Esther Oyema and Rita Ferdinand also claimed silver medals to take the country’s tally to six.
Oluwafemiayo was the star performer of the day, breaking her own world record twice before producing a remarkable 175kg lift to secure gold. Ferdinand also set a world record in her weight category during her silver-medal performance.
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