Team Nigeria announced its arrival at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in spectacular fashion after producing a record-breaking performance in para powerlifting, winning two gold medals and three silver medals on a dramatic opening day in Glasgow.
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Nigeria’s athletes delivered a combination of Commonwealth Games records, world records and podium finishes to emerge as one of the standout nations on the first day of competition, underlining the country’s long-standing dominance in international para powerlifting.
The day’s opening contest, the men’s lightweight event, produced one of the closest finishes in Commonwealth Games history.
Nigeria’s Roland Ezuruike narrowly missed out on the gold medal after finishing level with England’s Mark Swan on 153.9 points. Swan was eventually declared champion after edging the Nigerian by the finest of margins on countback to two decimal places.
The heartbreaking defeat denied Ezuruike a second Commonwealth title after his triumph at the Gold Coast 2018 Games, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin settled for bronze despite successfully lifting 220kg.
Nigeria quickly bounced back in the women’s lightweight category, where Esther Nworgu delivered a commanding performance to claim the gold medal after breaking the Commonwealth Games record twice during the competition.
Her compatriot, Esther Oyema, added to Nigeria’s medal haul by winning silver, marking a successful return to the Commonwealth podium eight years after capturing gold and setting a world record at the Gold Coast Games. Their performances secured an impressive Nigerian one-two in the event.
The country’s dominance continued in the women’s heavyweight competition, where Folashade Oluwafemiayo once again demonstrated why she remains one of the world’s leading para powerlifters.
The multiple-time world champion broke the +86kg world record twice, producing a best lift of 175kg to secure Nigeria’s second gold medal of the day in emphatic fashion.
Fellow Nigerian Rita Ferdinand completed another outstanding outing by claiming silver after setting a world record with a lift of 158kg in the +79kg category, while Australia’s Hani Watson finished with the bronze medal.
Nigeria’s remarkable performances also highlighted the success of the Commonwealth Sport GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) Programme, which supports athlete development across member nations.
Nworgu, Oyema and Ferdinand all benefited from the initiative, while Oluwafemiayo had previously participated in one of the programme’s camps.
Team Nigeria’s outstanding start has immediately positioned the country among the leading nations in the para powerlifting competition, with expectations high that more medals could follow as the Commonwealth Games continue in Glasgow.
