Nigerian Athletes Shine in Glasgow

After nine intense days in Glasgow, Nigeria finished seventh, winning 24 medals: 10 gold, seven silver, and seven bronze. But beyond the medals, several Nigerian track and field stars achieved historic milestones for the country. ABIODUN ADEWALE highlights their achievements.

Samuel Ogazi, Men’s 400m gold

Ogazi made history as the first Nigerian man to win the Commonwealth Games 400m title. He set a new Games record of 44.25 seconds to bring home gold for Nigeria. The last time Nigeria won a medal in the men’s 400m at the Commonwealth Games was in 1994. The late Sunday Bada won bronze back then.

Temitope Adeshina, Women’s high jump

Since breaking the Nigerian record, Adeshina has continued to shine. She took over from her mentor, former Nigerian high jumper Doreen Amata. In Glasgow, Adeshina became the first Nigerian athlete in 60 years to win a high jump medal. She cleared 1.90m to finish third in the women’s event. Samuel Igun was the first Nigerian to win a medal in this event in 1966, taking silver in Kingston, Jamaica.

Ezekiel Nathaniel, Men’s 400m hurdles

Nathaniel has been breaking Nigerian and African records for over a year. In Glasgow, he struck gold in the men’s 400m hurdles, clocking 48.47 seconds. His win makes him the first Nigerian man to win Commonwealth Games gold in this event. He is also the second Nigerian athlete to medal in the 400m hurdles in 16 years. Ajoke Odumosu won bronze at the New Delhi Games in 2010.

Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, Men’s shot put

Enekwechi has faced many near misses at global events. Finally, in Glasgow, he made history as the first Nigerian to win the Commonwealth title in the men’s shot put. He threw 21.07m in the fifth round to win gold. He beat Tom Walsh, who threw 21.03m for silver, while Scott Lincoln took bronze with 20.99m. Before Enekwechi, only Vivian Chukwuemeka had won a Commonwealth Games medal for Nigeria in shot put, winning gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.

Ella Onojuvwevwo, Women’s 400m

Onojuvwevwo finished with a time of 51.00 seconds to win bronze in the women’s 400m. This is her first individual senior medal for Nigeria. She is also the first Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in this event since Fatima Yusuf won silver in 1994.

Kayinsola Ajayi, Men’s 100m

Ajayi was expected to win gold but proudly took bronze after finishing third. He came behind African champion Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon and Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy in the 100m final. His bronze made him the first Nigerian man to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games 100m since Olusoji Fasuba won silver in 2006. Earlier this year, he broke Fasuba’s 20-year-old Nigerian 100m record of 9.85 seconds, setting a new national record of 9.84 seconds.

Jessica Orji, Women’s shot put

Orji, still new to representing Nigeria at the senior level, made a strong impression in Glasgow. She won silver, becoming the second Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in women’s shot put. Vivian Chukwuemeka had won gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.

Udodi Onwuzurike, Men’s 200m

Onwuzurike achieved a season’s best of 20.09 seconds (+1.7m/s) to win silver in the men’s 200m final in Glasgow. He finished behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who won gold in 19.96 seconds. Onwuzurike’s silver was Nigeria’s first medal in the men’s 200m at the Commonwealth Games since Daniel Effiong won bronze in 1994.