Team Nigeria announced itself as a force to be reckoned with on the opening day of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, delivering a series of standout performances that earned five medals, a world record, two Games records and a historic win in 3×3 basketball.
Medal standings after day one
Nigeria finished the day in second place on the medals table with two gold and three silver medals. Australia led with four gold, two silver and four bronze, while host Scotland took third with two gold and two silver.
Powerlifting delivers world record
The multiple‑time Paralympic champion lifted 134.8 kg to set a new world record. Fellow Nigerian Rita Ferdinand claimed silver with 128.2 kg, a lift that also surpassed the previous world mark. Australia’s Hani Watson took bronze with 111.5 kg, ahead of England’s Louise Sugden and Doaa Shayea; India’s Kasthuri Rajamani failed to record a successful lift.
Esther Nworgu secures first gold
Twenty‑four‑year‑old Esther Nworgu gave Nigeria its first gold of the Games in the women’s lightweight powerlifting category. The Paris 2024 Paralympic silver medallist broke the Games record twice within ten minutes before sealing victory with a winning lift of 123 kg for 119 points. She first set a new Games mark at 118 kg, then improved it with her second successful lift.
Esther Oyema adds silver
Esther Oyema completed a Nigerian one‑two finish, taking silver with 115.5 points after a successful 125 kg lift on her second attempt. England’s Olivia Broome claimed bronze with 106.6 points.
Roland Ezuruike earns silver
Veteran Roland Ezuruike opened Nigeria’s medal account with a silver in the men’s lightweight event, scoring 153.9 points. The 50‑year‑old came within reach of gold but missed a Games‑record attempt of 190 kg on his final lift. England’s Mark Swan won the title on a tiebreak after both athletes finished level on points, while Malaysia’s Bonnie Bunyau Gustin collected bronze.
NSC Director‑General’s message
National Sports Commission Director‑General Bukola Olopade joined the athletes and officials in celebrating the landmark start. She said:
“This is the kind of start we were hoping for. Congratulations to the team for their fighting spirit and determination. Enjoy this victory, but stay focused because the journey has only just begun. Nigeria believes in you, and we are confident you can achieve even greater success at these Games.”
Setbacks in other events
Swimmer Clinton Opute finished sixth in his heat of the men’s 200 m individual medley in 2:15.40, missing qualification for the next round despite marking the start of Nigeria’s individual events campaign.
In boxing, Ayomide Foly Hassan was eliminated from the men’s 70 kg division after a 4‑0 points loss to Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai in the Round of 32. Thai advanced to the last 16, while Hassan’s campaign ended early.
Financial rewards for medalists
Under the NSC’s enhanced athlete welfare policy, gold medallists received $8,000 and silver medallists were awarded $5,000 immediately after their victories.
Looking ahead
Team Nigeria, comprising 74 athletes across ten sports, will resume competition later on July 25. The men’s 3×3 basketball squad faces Australia, while additional Nigerian boxers and swimmers take to the arena. The NSC remains targeting between 16 and 20 gold medals in Glasgow.
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