With just 24 days to the start of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the National Sports Commission has highlighted some of Team Nigeria's biggest medal hopefuls expected to shine at the competition.
The Games will take place from July 23 to August 2, with Nigeria set to compete across several sports.
Leading the list is world record holder Tobi Amusan, who recently boosted her title defence hopes after winning the women's 100m hurdles at the Paris Diamond League in a season's best-equalling time of 12.27 seconds. The two-time Commonwealth champion will be aiming for a third consecutive gold medal in Glasgow.
Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo is also expected to be one of the country's strongest medal prospects. The multiple Paralympic, World and Commonwealth champion heads to Scotland looking to defend the heavyweight para powerlifting title she won at the Birmingham 2022 Games.
Long jump star Ese Brume will also be seeking to retain her Commonwealth crown. The Olympic bronze medallist and African record holder won gold at Birmingham 2022 with a Games record leap of 7.00 metres and remains one of Africa's most accomplished field athletes.
In weightlifting, Commonwealth champion Rafiatu Lawal will target another podium finish after an impressive 2026 campaign that saw her win gold at the African Weightlifting Championships and become the first Nigerian weightlifter to claim three medals at a single IWF World Championships.
Rounding off the first list of stars is 20-year-old quarter-miler Samuel Ogazi, who has emerged as one of Nigeria's brightest athletics prospects. The national record holder recently clocked 43.38 seconds to win the NCAA title, becoming the fourth-fastest man ever over 400 metres.
According to the National Sports Commission, the athletes are among the country's leading medal hopefuls as Team Nigeria prepares for another strong outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The list was released in a statement on Monday by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission.
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