Team Nigeria enjoyed an outstanding opening day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, winning six medals to climb to second place on the medals table behind Australia.
At the close of Day One, Nigeria had amassed three gold and three silver medals, all coming from para powerlifting, once again highlighting the country’s dominance in the sport.
Australia led the standings with six gold, two silver and five bronze medals, while hosts Scotland were third with two gold and two silver medals.
Nigeria’s golden run began with Esther Nworgu, who delivered the country’s first gold medal of the Games in the women’s lightweight event. Nworgu lifted 123kg to score 119 points, setting two Commonwealth Games records in the process. Fellow Nigerian Esther Oyema completed a one-two finish by claiming silver with 125kg and 115.5 points, ahead of England’s Olivia Broome.
The second gold came courtesy of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who produced another dominant display in the women’s heavyweight category. The multiple-time world champion lifted 175kg to set a new world record and finished with 134.8 points to successfully defend her Commonwealth title.
