Team Nigeria roared into life on the opening day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s world record-breaking gold leading a five-medal haul in para powerlifting as the chased the National Sports Commission’s target of 16-20 gold medals, PETER AKINBO writes
Team Nigeria produced one of the most dominant opening-day performances of any nation at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, headlined by team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo’s world record-breaking gold in the Women’s heavyweight para-powerlifting event, as the country sat second on the medals table behind Australia after the first day of competition.
As at the time of writing this report, Nigeria closed the day with two gold and three silver medals, trailing only Australia, who topped the table with four gold, two silver and four bronze, and finishing above hosts Scotland, who had two gold and two silver.
All five of Nigeria’s medals came from para powerlifting, underlining the discipline’s continued standing as one of the country’s most reliable sources of Commonwealth glory.
The day’s outstanding performance came from Oluwafemiayo, who lifted 134.8kg to smash the world record and retain her grip on the Women’s Heavyweight title at the SEC Armadillo.
