Weightlifters Lead Nigeria’s Success in Glasgow Games

Before Tuesday’s big win in athletics, all the medals Nigeria won at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games came from weightlifters and para-powerlifters. Even after Kayinsola Ajayi and Temitope Adeshina won bronze medals in their events, weightlifters still made up most of Nigeria’s medals. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s boxing team has struggled, with five out of six boxers already out of the competition.

Team Nigeria now has a total of 12 medals. This includes six gold, four silver, and two bronze. Nigeria is currently placed fifth in the overall standings and remains the top African country at the Games. Australia leads with 80 medals, followed by England with 43, Canada with 35, and hosts Scotland, who have moved ahead of Nigeria with 15 medals, including seven gold, four silver, and four bronze.

Of Nigeria’s 12 medals, 10 came from weightlifting and para-powerlifting. Esther Nworgu, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, and Riluwan Idris won gold in the para-powerlifting events. Roland Ezuruike, Esther Oyema, and Rita Ferdinand earned silver in the same category. In traditional weightlifting, Edidiong Umoafia, Onome Didih, and Rafiatu Lawal all won gold, while Ruth Nyong took home silver in the women’s 48kg category.

Umoafia won the men’s 71kg title with an impressive Commonwealth Games record of 319kg combined lift. Didih grabbed the women’s 53kg gold with a record total of 206kg. Lawal successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s 58kg event, lifting a total of 229kg, also a record.