Nigerian Weightlifters Dominate Glasgow Games, Secure Three Gold Medals

Team Nigeria delivered an exceptional performance on Monday at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, significantly advancing its medal campaign by securing three gold medals in weightlifting and numerous semi-final berths in the men’s and women’s 100 metres.

The weightlifting team emerged as the standout highlight of Day Four, with Edidiong Joseph Umoafia, Onome Didih, and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal each claiming gold medals and setting new Commonwealth Games records in their respective categories. Edidiong Joseph Umoafia was the first to strike, securing Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the Games in the men’s 71kg category. He lifted a combined total of 319kg, achieving a Games-record 147kg in the snatch and adding 172kg in the clean and jerk. This impressive feat placed him ahead of Samoa’s Joseph Tafi (314kg) and Nauru’s Elgin Moses (310kg).

Onome Didih followed with another record-breaking display, claiming Nigeria’s fifth gold medal in the women’s 53kg event. She dominated the competition, setting new Commonwealth Games records across the board: 93kg in the snatch, 113kg in the clean and jerk, and a total lift of 206kg. India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav took silver with 199kg, while Canada’s Rebeka Groulx earned bronze with 178kg.

Completing Nigeria’s golden sweep in weightlifting, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal delivered a spectacular record-breaking performance in the women’s 58kg category, clinching the country’s sixth gold medal. Lawal established new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in all three lifts, recording 103kg in the snatch, 126kg in the clean and jerk, and an astounding combined total of 229kg. Her commanding total gave her a 14kg advantage over Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau, who secured silver with 215kg.

In recognition of these stellar achievements, the National Sports Commission’s incentive package came into effect. Each Nigerian gold medallist received an immediate $5,000 cash reward, along with an additional $5,000 performance bonus deposited directly into their accounts.

Nigeria’s athletics team also made substantial progress on the track. In the men’s 100m, Favour Ashe qualified for Tuesday’s semi-finals by winning his opening heat in 10.10 seconds. Nicholas Fakorede also advanced, finishing second in Heat 10 in 10.21 seconds, joining Ashe and national record holder Kayinsola Ajayi (who received a bye) in the semi-finals.

The women’s 100m saw an impressive debut from 17-year-old Miracle Ezechukwu, who won her heat in 11.32 seconds from lane eight, securing automatic qualification for the semi-finals. She will be joined by teammates Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Chukwuma, giving Nigeria three representatives in the women’s 100m semi-finals. However, there was disappointment for Sade Olatoye in the women’s hammer throw, as she finished 10th in Group A with a best throw of 62.75m.

With a total of six gold medals already secured and several medal events still on the horizon, Team Nigeria’s compelling campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continues to gain significant momentum.