Nigeria made a dream start to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, winning six medals on the opening day as the country's para powerlifting team delivered three gold medals, three silvers and two world records.
The Games, which run from 23rd July to 2nd August 2026, have brought together about 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories to compete across 10 sports, including six fully integrated Para disciplines.
Roland Ezuruike opened Nigeria's medal account by taking silver in the men's lightweight para powerlifting event with 153.9 points. He came close to claiming gold but narrowly failed in an attempt to break the Commonwealth Games record with a 190kg lift.
The women's lightweight event then produced Nigeria's first gold medal of the Games.
Esther Nworgu lifted 123kg to score 119 points and win the title ahead of compatriot Esther Oyema, who settled for silver to complete a Nigerian one-two finish.
Nigeria's biggest performance of the day came from team captian Folashade Oluwafemiayo.
The multiple-time world champion broke her own world record twice before producing an astonishing 175kg lift to set another world record and win the women's heavyweight gold with 134.8 points.
Rita Ferdinand completed another Nigerian one-two by lifting 158kg to claim silver while also setting a new world record in her weight category.
Riluwan Idris sealed Nigeria's third gold medal after a massive 208kg lift earned him victory in the men's heavyweight event with 132.8 points.
The official Glasgow 2026 organisers described Nigeria's opening-day display as one of the standout stories of the Games, with the country's para powerlifters briefly sending Team Nigeria to the top of the medal table.
Mixed Fortunes in Basketball, Boxing and Swimming
Nigeria also enjoyed a bright start in the men's 3x3 basketball competition, defeating the Cayman Islands 21-17.
Esosa Okundaye and Ikechukwu Nwamu led the scoring with six points each.
However, Australia recovered from an early deficit to beat Nigeria 21-15 before New Zealand completed a difficult day for the Nigerians with a 21-10 victory.
Despite the two defeats, Nigeria remains in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage with more group matches still to come.
In boxing, Ayomide Foly Hassan suffered a narrow Round of 32 defeat to Lesotho's Refiloe Thai.
Swimming also brought disappointment as Clinton Opute finished sixth in his heat of the men's 200m individual medley in 2:15.40, missing out on a place in the next round.
Standout Moments Across Glasgow
Elsewhere on the opening day, Scotland's Duncan Scott delighted the home crowd by winning the men's 200m individual medley in swimming, a Commonwealth Games record time of 1:56.38, while England's Mark Swan claimed the first gold medal of the Games in men's lightweight para powerlifting.
South Africa's Chad le Clos also made history by winning his 19th Commonwealth Games medal, becoming the most decorated male athlete in the event's history.
What Comes Next for Team Nigeria?
Nigeria's athletes return to action on Saturday with more group matches in men's 3x3 basketball, while the country's boxing campaign continues with Abdulramon Abdulwahab entering the ring.
Nigerian swimmers are also expected to compete in additional heats as Team Nigeria looks to build on its impressive medal haul.
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