24.7.2026
Nigerian athletes’s quest for medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games took off on a bright note with three gold medals and two records in the kitty.
Esther Nworgu broke the Games record to clinch the gold medal in the women powerlifting lightweight contest, while Esther Oyema finished second for the silver.
Nworgu delivered a commanding performance to win Nigeria’s first gold medal of the Games, lifting her way to a new Commonwealth Games record of 119.0 points.
Later in the day at the SEC Armadillo arena Riluwan Idris hauled 132.8 points to win the heavyweight gold.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo in the women’s heavyweight shattered the world record to bag the gold, and compatriot Rita Ferdinand took the silver.
The National Sports Commission had set a target of 20 gold medals and from all reckoning the well motivated Nigerian athletes will give a go in the days to come.