Nigerian Weightlifters Win Three Gold Medals at Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Team Nigeria enjoyed a successful outing at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, winning three gold medals in weightlifting and recording impressive performances in the athletics events.

Edidiong Joseph Umoafia, Onome Didih and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal each claimed gold medals while setting new Commonwealth Games records in their respective categories. Their victories further strengthened Nigeria's position on the medals table and highlighted the country's dominance in weightlifting.

Umoafia won the men's 71kg event with a combined lift of 319kg, while Didih claimed gold in the women's 53kg category with a total of 206kg. Lawal completed Nigeria's golden sweep in the women's 58kg division, lifting a combined 229kg to set both Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records. The National Sports Commission rewarded each gold medallist with a $5,000 cash prize and an additional $5,000 performance bonus.

Nigeria also recorded positive results in athletics, with Favour Ashe, Nicholas Fakorede and Kayinsola Ajayi advancing to the men's 100m semi-finals. Seventeen-year-old Miracle Ezechukwu impressed on her Commonwealth Games debut by winning her heat to qualify for the women's 100m semi-finals alongside Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Chukwuma. Team Nigeria has now won six gold medals at the Games, with several medal events still to come.