Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Bornet .k
Nigeria has opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in spectacular fashion, with para powerlifter Esther Nworgu winning the country's first gold medal after delivering a record-breaking performance in the women's lightweight para powerlifting event in Glasgow, Scotland.
Competing on Friday, July 24, at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Nworgu produced a remarkable display of strength and consistency, lifting 123kg to score 119.0 points under the para powerlifting coefficient system. The lift shattered the existing Commonwealth Games record and secured Nigeria's first gold medal of the Games. Nworgu also broke the Games record twice during the competition, underlining her dominance on the platform.
The victory marked another milestone in Nworgu's distinguished career, adding Commonwealth Games gold to an impressive list of international achievements. The Nigerian para powerlifter, who won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, has consistently established herself among the world's leading athletes in her weight category.
Nigeria's celebration was further enhanced by a memorable one-two finish as compatriot Esther Oyema claimed the silver medal. Oyema lifted 125kg to earn 115.5 points, finishing behind Nworgu under the coefficient scoring system. Olivia Broome of England secured the bronze medal after finishing third, completing the podium in an event dominated by Team Nigeria.
Earlier in the day, veteran Nigerian para powerlifter Roland Ezuruike also delivered an outstanding performance in the men's lightweight event, winning the silver medal after finishing with 153.9 points. Ezuruike narrowly missed the gold medal after England's Mark Swan edged him by the finest of margins, giving Nigeria its second medal of the opening day.
The trio of medals propelled Team Nigeria to the top of the early Commonwealth Games medal standings, with one gold and two silver medals after the opening day of competition. The strong start reinforced Nigeria's reputation as one of the world's most successful nations in para powerlifting, a sport in which it has consistently excelled at the Paralympic Games, World Championships and previous Commonwealth Games.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games officially began on July 23 following the opening ceremony at OVO Hydro, with athletes from across the Commonwealth competing in a streamlined programme that includes para sports fully integrated into the main schedule. The Games will run until August 2, featuring competition across multiple venues in Glasgow.
Nigeria's outstanding performance on the opening day has generated excitement among sports enthusiasts at home, with expectations high that the country's athletes can build on their early success. Attention is now turning to other medal prospects, including world record holder Tobi Amusan in athletics and several experienced competitors in wrestling, boxing and weightlifting, as Team Nigeria seeks to improve on its impressive Commonwealth Games record.
For Nigerian sports officials, Nworgu's historic victory represents more than just an early gold medal. It reflects the country's sustained investment in para sports and the continued emergence of elite athletes capable of competing at the highest international level. As competition continues in Glasgow, Team Nigeria will be aiming to maintain its momentum and strengthen its position among the leading nations at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
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