Nworgu Celebrates Gold Win at Commonwealth Games

Esther Nworgu, who secured Nigeria’s first gold medal at the Games, says winning gold in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting event at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games means everything to her. She praised the National Sports Commission for creating the right environment for Team Nigeria to excel, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Nworgu won gold with a Games record lift of 119.0kg. She mentioned that months of careful training and strong support from the Commission inspired her to deliver one of her best performances ever.

After her victory at the SEC Armadillo, she said every athlete arrived in Glasgow ready to show they deserved the trust placed in them. “We came here prepared, and the National Sports Commission did a lot. They spent a lot to get us here, and I personally had to put in my best to make sure we made Nigeria proud,” Nworgu said. She described the Commonwealth Games as one of the toughest competitions in her sport.

“It is not easy. The Commonwealth Games are different because you have to give it your very best to achieve success,” she added.

Nworgu also credited her teammate Esther Oyema, who won silver in the same event, for inspiring younger Nigerian para powerlifters. “Having my senior win the silver medal motivated us because when she was younger, they achieved a lot. It made me even happier because the gold and silver came to Nigeria and not to any other country,” she said.

“The celebration started the moment the Nigerian flag went up, and our national anthem was played. That was when the celebration started.”

Nworgu expressed her gratitude to the National Sports Commission, thanking chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and director general Bukola Olopade for their supportive roles. She highlighted their encouragement for Team Nigeria during its preparations and participation at the Games, as well as their promise to reward medal winners quickly.

“I also thank the National Sports Commission for making its promise fulfilled immediately. I got my $5,000 almost immediately after winning my gold medal, and this has never happened before,” she stated.

Nworgu’s gold, along with Oyema’s silver, gave Nigeria a remarkable one-two finish in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting event and set a strong tone for the opening day. Team Nigeria continued to shine, winning more medals through Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who claimed gold with a world record lift, Rita Ferdinand, who secured silver with a world record performance, Roland Ezuruike, who won silver in the Men’s Lightweight category, and Rilwan Idris, who captured gold in the Men’s Heavyweight event.