Team Nigeria delivered an impressive performance on Day Three of the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, securing more medals and strengthening its position on the medals table after a modest start to the competition.
Key Highlights:
- Team Nigeria continued its strong medal chase on Day Three of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
- Riluwan Idris became Nigeria’s first male gold medallist of the Games.
- Esther Nworgu and Folashade Oluwafemiayo won gold in para powerlifting, with Oluwafemiayo setting a new world record.
- Weightlifter secured a bronze medal with a personal-best total lift of 168kg.
- Mixed fortunes for Nigeria in boxing and men’s 3×3 basketball.
- Nigeria ended Day Three fourth on the overall medals table.
Team Nigeria’s medal haul received a major boost in the para powerlifting events. Esther Nworgu claimed Nigeria’s first gold medal by leading a one-two finish in the women’s 48kg lightweight category, while multiple champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo broke the world record to win another gold medal in the women’s heavyweight event. The Paralympic champion has now shifted her focus to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Riluwan Idris also made history by becoming Team Nigeria’s first male gold medallist of the competition after a determined performance in para powerlifting, adding another memorable moment to Nigeria’s campaign.
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In weightlifting, Nigeria celebrated another podium finish after an impressive performance that produced a personal-best 75kg in the snatch and 93kg in the clean and jerk for a combined lift of 168kg, earning a bronze medal. India’s Mirabai Chanu dominated the event, winning gold with a Commonwealth Games record total lift of 190kg.
Nigeria, however, endured disappointment in other events. Swimmer Clinton Opute finished sixth in the men’s 50m butterfly, narrowly missing out on a medal in the country’s opening swimming event.
In boxing, David Akintola exited the men’s competition after losing 4-1 on split decision to Tanzania’s Yusuf Lucasi Changalawe in the Round of 32. Fellow Nigerian Khadijat Ajisola also bowed out of the women’s 54kg event following a narrow 3-2 split-decision defeat to Wales’ Helen Jones.
The men’s 3×3 basketball team experienced mixed fortunes. Team Nigeria defeated the Cayman Islands before suffering defeats to Scotland (21-16) and Australia (20-15). The team later bounced back with a thrilling 20-19 victory over Guyana to keep its hopes alive.
At the end of Day Three, Australia led the medals table with 32 medals comprising 14 gold, seven silver and 11 bronze. England occupied second place with 18 medals, while hosts Scotland were third. Team Nigeria finished the day in fourth position with three gold and four silver medals, ahead of South Africa.
With several medal events still to come, Team Nigeria remains firmly on course for a strong finish at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
