Ruth Nyong Makes Strong Comeback to Win Silver in Weightlifting

Nigerian weightlifter Ruth Nyong made a strong comeback to win silver in the women’s 48kg event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

After finishing third in the snatch with a personal best lift of 75kg, Nyong struggled at first. She missed her first two clean and jerk attempts at 93kg, putting her at risk of elimination.

With everything on the line, the Nigerian stayed focused and successfully completed the lift on her last attempt, earning the silver medal.

Nyong finished with a total of 168kg, behind India’s Mirabai Chanu, while Malaysia’s Irene Henry took home the bronze.

Nyong started her competition confidently. She lifted 71kg on her first snatch attempt and then set a new personal best of 75kg with her second lift.

However, after failing her first two clean and jerk attempts at 93kg, she faced the possibility of crashing out. But she bounced back with a successful third attempt, securing her spot on the podium.

Chanu won India’s first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games by keeping the women’s 48kg title.

This win marks Chanu’s third straight Commonwealth Games gold medal, having also triumphed in Birmingham in 2022 and on the Gold Coast in 2018. She had previously taken silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

For Nigeria, the weightlifting and para-powerlifting events have been a success. Nigerian athletes have won three gold medals and four silver medals so far.