Commonwealth 2026: Nigeria wins first gold medal, creates games record

Nigeria’s Esther Nworgu delivered a remarkable performance to secure the country’s first gold medal at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after setting a new Games record in the women’s para powerlifting lightweight event.

Nworgu produced a stunning lift of 119.0kg, surpassing the previous Games mark and finishing ahead of a strong field to claim the top prize.

Her record breaking performance highlighted Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting, a sport in which the country has consistently excelled at major international competitions.

The victory also marked Team Nigeria’s first gold medal of the Games, providing a major boost to the country’s medal campaign on the opening day of competition.

Fellow Nigerian lifter Esther Onyema also impressed, winning the silver medal after successfully lifting 115.5kg. Onyema’s strong performance ensured Nigeria finished with a one two result in the event, underlining the team’s strength in the lightweight category.

England’s Olivia Broome claimed the bronze medal with a lift of 106.6kg, while Kenya’s Hellen Wawira Kariuki finished fourth. England’s Charlotte McGuinness placed fifth, with India’s Suman Devi ending the competition in sixth position.

Earlier in the day, Roland Ezuruike had opened Nigeria’s medal account by winning silver in the men’s lightweight para powerlifting event. His achievement gave Team Nigeria its first medal of the Glasgow Games before Nworgu and Onyema added to the country’s tally.

With one gold and two silver medals already secured on the opening day, Team Nigeria has made an encouraging start to its Glasgow 2026 campaign and will be hoping to build on the momentum as more events take place in the coming days.

Nworgu’s record setting lift is expected to stand out as one of the early highlights of the Games and further strengthens Nigeria’s reputation as one of the world’s leading nations in para powerlifting.