Team Nigeria made a sensational start to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning six medals, three gold and three silver, on the opening day, with its para powerlifting team delivering two world records and several Games records, Trybal News reports.
Nigeria’s first medal came through Paralympian Roland Ezuruike, who claimed silver in the men’s lightweight para powerlifting event after scoring 153.9 points. Ezuruike narrowly missed out on gold after failing to clear a Commonwealth Games record 190kg on his final attempt.
The gold medals began to flow in the women’s lightweight category, where Esther Nworgu produced a dominant display. She lifted 123kg to secure Nigeria’s first gold medal of the Games while breaking the Commonwealth Games record twice in the process. Fellow Nigerian Esther Oyema completed a memorable one-two finish by claiming silver with a successful 125kg lift.
Team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo once again underlined her status as one of the world’s greatest para powerlifters. The reigning Paralympic and Commonwealth champion broke her own world record twice, lifting 172kg before improving it to an astonishing 175kg to claim Nigeria’s second gold medal.
Rita Ferdinand added another historic moment for Team Nigeria in the women’s up to 79kg category. Her 158kg lift surpassed the previous world record of 154kg, earning her a silver medal and making it the second world record set by a Nigerian athlete on the opening day.
Riluwan Idris capped a remarkable evening by winning Nigeria’s third gold medal in the men’s heavyweight event. The Nigerian lifted 208kg to edge England’s Matthew Harding and secure the title with 132.8 points.
Away from the powerlifting arena, Nigeria’s men’s 3×3 basketball team recorded its first-ever Commonwealth Games victory in the discipline by defeating the Cayman Islands 21-17 before falling 21-15 to Australia. The team will now face New Zealand in a crucial group-stage encounter.
In boxing, Abdulramon Abdulwahab exited the men’s 65kg competition after a unanimous points defeat to Uganda’s Nuhu Batte in the Round of 32.
With six medals already secured and multiple records broken, Team Nigeria has announced itself as one of the standout performers at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, setting an encouraging tone for the remainder of the competition.
