Nigeria wins six medals on day one of Commonwealth Games
Team Nigeria started well at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, securing 3 gold and 3 silver medals on the opening day of para-powerlifting, placing the country near the top of the standings.
Team Nigeria launched a brilliant campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, securing three gold and three silver medals on the opening day of para-powerlifting, placing the country near the top of the early medal standings. Esther Nworgu and Riluwan Idris led the gold rush in the women’s lightweight and men’s heavyweight divisions.
Nworgu opened Nigeria’s gold account in the women’s lightweight event, lifting 123kg to score 119 points and win the title ahead of compatriot Esther Oyema, who settled for silver to complete a Nigerian one-two finish. Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo then produced the performance of the day, breaking her own world record twice before an astonishing 175kg lift to win the women’s heavyweight gold with 134.8 points. Rita Ferdinand completed another Nigerian one-two by lifting 158kg to claim silver while also setting a new world record in her weight category. Riluwan Idris sealed Nigeria’s third gold medal after a massive 208kg lift earned him victory in the men’s heavyweight event . Veteran Roland Ezuruike had earlier opened Nigeria’s medal account by taking silver in the men’s lightweight event.
The official Glasgow 2026 organisers described Nigeria’s opening-day display as one of the standout stories of the Games, with the country’s para-powerlifters briefly sending Team Nigeria to the top of the medal table. The performance surpassed the two gold medals and five-medal haul Nigeria achieved in para-powerlifting at Birmingham 2022.
This echoes the 2022 Commonwealth Games, when Nigeria also dominated para-powerlifting. The mechanism then was different, but the result was the same: Nigerian para-powerlifters proving they are the best in the world.
The winners: Team Nigeria’s para-powerlifters, who have delivered an exceptional performance; and the National Sports Commission, which has supported the team. The losers: the athletes who did not win; and the Nigerian public, who now have high expectations for the rest of the Games.
Bottom Line: Nigeria has won six medals on day one of the Commonwealth Games. Three gold, three silver. The para-powerlifters are dominating. The question is whether the rest of the team can match their performance.