Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme produced the performance of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Day 5, storming to the men’s 100m title in a stunning Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds despite damp conditions in Glasgow. The lightning fast sprint also shattered his own Cameroonian national record and erased a 28 year old Games mark in one of the greatest races in Commonwealth history.
Eseme had already hinted at something special in the semifinals when he clocked a national record of 9.89 seconds, finishing just outside the previous Games record. However, he saved his very best for the final, where he powered through the last 50 metres to overhaul the field and secure a memorable victory.
Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy also dipped below the previous Commonwealth Games record, finishing second in 9.85 seconds to set a new Australian and Oceania record. Nigeria’s Kayinsola Ajayi continued his outstanding form by claiming bronze in 9.90 seconds, while South Africa’s Gift Leotlela narrowly missed the podium despite running 9.91 seconds.
Reflecting on his remarkable victory, Eseme explained how he stayed calm despite not making the fastest start.
“I just said to myself, you may not be the best starter, you may let them go in the first 50 metres, but just keep it.
“Don’t rush anything. Execute your race and somehow, at the end, I know I’m going to catch them.
“Because when I get there and they’re still around me, I know I’m going to catch them. So I just decided to execute my race without falling.”
Earlier in the evening, Ajayi had impressed in the semifinals by winning his race in 9.94 seconds ahead of Wales’ Jeremiah Azu, while Leotlela also progressed comfortably after winning his semifinal in 10.02 seconds.
Australia once again dominated the swimming competition, collecting several gold medals. Flynn Southam led from start to finish to win the men’s 100m freestyle ahead of Wales’ Matt Richards and fellow Australian Kyle Chalmers.
Lani Pallister continued her incredible campaign by claiming her fourth gold medal of the Games in the women’s 800m freestyle. The Australian distance specialist broke the Commonwealth Games record by almost two seconds, with New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather taking silver and Australia’s Molly Walker claiming bronze.
Jenna Forrester added another Australian gold after edging a thrilling women’s 200m individual medley final. South Africa’s Aimee Canny settled for silver, while England’s 16 year old Amalie Smith earned an impressive bronze.
Australia also celebrated victories through Kirralee Hayes in the women’s 50m freestyle S13 and wrapped up the mixed 4x100m medley relay in another Commonwealth Games record. Iona Anderson, Sam Williamson, Matthew Temple and Meg Harris combined to finish ahead of South Africa and Scotland.
New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt secured his second gold medal of the Games after winning the men’s 400m individual medley, narrowly missing the Games record. Australia’s William Petric finished second, while Canada’s Lorne Wigginton claimed bronze.
Canada’s Kylie Masse gained revenge over Australia’s Iona Anderson by winning the women’s 50m backstroke title. Anderson settled for silver after beating Masse in the 100m backstroke earlier in the week, while England’s Lauren Cox took bronze.
Jersey celebrated its first Commonwealth Games title in 36 years after 18 year old Filip Nowacki won the men’s 200m breaststroke. Canada’s Oliver Dawson earned silver and Australia’s Zac Stubblety Cook finished with bronze.
South Africa’s Lara van Niekerk successfully defended her women’s 50m breaststroke crown with a commanding performance. Australia’s Sienna Toohey claimed silver, while England’s Imogen Clark and Canada’s Sophie Angus shared bronze after finishing in a dead heat.
Scotland opened the evening session with gold as Paralympic champion Stephen Clegg won the men’s 50m freestyle S13. Australia’s Kirralee Hayes later dominated the women’s equivalent to give the Australians another title.
Athletics also produced more memorable moments beyond Eseme’s sensational sprint. Australia’s Ky Robinson claimed gold in the men’s 10,000m, while India’s Gulveer Singh and Isle of Man’s David Mullarkey completed the podium. Mullarkey’s bronze delivered the Isle of Man’s first Commonwealth Games medal since 2018.
New Zealand’s Zoe Hobbs won a thrilling women’s 100m final in an area record of 10.93 seconds. England’s Amy Hunt also broke the 11 second barrier to finish second, while Australia’s Torrie Lewis set a new national record to secure bronze.
Canada’s Camryn Rogers closed the hammer throw competition in style by producing a Commonwealth Games record with her final throw. New Zealand’s Lauren Bruce finished second and Australia’s Lara Roberts claimed bronze.
Malaysia’s Abdul Latif Romly lived up to expectations by winning the T20 long jump title. Canada’s Noah Vucsics secured silver, while Malaysia’s Eljoe Gotuoh added bronze.
Weightlifting featured three gold medal performances. Canada’s Maude Charron dominated the women’s 63kg event with Commonwealth Games records in both the snatch and clean and jerk. England’s Sarah Davies Smale won silver, while Nauru’s Femily Crystie Notte claimed bronze.
Canada continued its impressive campaign as Charlotte Simoneau won the women’s 69kg competition. She broke both the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records with a superb 132kg clean and jerk. India’s Harjinder Kaur earned silver and Australia’s Nya Phebe Hayman collected bronze.
Artistic gymnastics also delivered plenty of excitement. Canada’s Felix Dolci won the men’s vault ahead of England’s Luke Whitehouse before later claimed his sixth medal of the Games by winning the men’s horizontal bar. Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou secured silver, while Canadian teammate William Emard took bronze.
Australia’s Jesse Moore bounced back from his all around disappointment to win gold on the parallel bars with a composed routine. Georgiou finished second again, while Dolci added another bronze to his remarkable medal collection.
Breanna Scott gave Australia another gymnastics title after producing a superb balance beam routine. Singapore’s Amanda Yap won silver and Canada’s Lia Monica Fontaine claimed bronze.
Wales ended the women’s artistic gymnastics programme in style as Ruby Evans produced a brilliant floor routine to edge England’s Abigail Martin for gold. Shantae Eve Amankwaah completed the podium with bronze.
England claimed lawn bowls gold through Sian Honnor and Amy Pharaoh after defeating Malaysia in the women’s pairs final. The victory earned both players their fifth Commonwealth Games medals.
In 3×3 basketball, Uganda defeated Tonga 21 12 to reach the men’s semifinals, where they will face New Zealand. Jamaica also booked a women’s semifinal clash with Australia after edging England 21 20 thanks to Teneisia Brown’s decisive free throw.
Day 5 concluded with another spectacular showcase despite heavy rain throughout Glasgow. From Emmanuel Eseme’s record breaking sprint to Australia’s continued dominance in the pool and Canada’s gymnastics success, the Games continued to deliver unforgettable moments across eight sports and 27 gold medal events.
