Nigeria announced its arrival at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in emphatic fashion after winning six medals on the opening day in Glasgow, with its para powerlifting team once again reaffirming its place as one of the country’s dominant disciplines.

Team Nigeria finished Friday with three gold and three silver medals, all won in para powerlifting, to sit second on the early medals table behind Australia after an impressive start to the Games.

The first medal of Nigeria’s campaign came through Roland Ezuruike, who claimed silver in the men’s lightweight event. The 50-year-old came agonisingly close to winning gold but narrowly lost out after failing to complete a Commonwealth Games record lift with his final attempt.

Nigeria’s first gold medal was secured by Esther Nworgu, who delivered a record-breaking performance in the women’s lightweight competition. Nworgu twice raised the Commonwealth Games record on her way to victory, while compatriot Esther Oyema finished second to complete a Nigerian one-two on the podium.

The country’s dominance continued in the women’s heavyweight category as team captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo underlined her status as one of the sport’s leading figures. The reigning Paralympic champion broke her own world record twice before successfully lifting 175kg to defend her Commonwealth title and claim Nigeria’s second gold of the day.

Nigeria’s Folashade Oluwafemiayo claims the Para Powerlifting Heavyweight World Record! 👏🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/f3v7Li4aqN

— Glasgow 2026 (@Glasgow_2026) July 24, 2026

Rita Ferdinand added another silver medal after producing a world record lift of 158kg in the women’s up to 79kg class, although her points total left her behind Oluwafemiayo in the final standings.

Nigeria’s three GOLD medallists on Day 1 of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

▪️Folashade Oluwafemiayo
▪️Riluwan Idris
▪️Esther Nworgu

Nigerian Powerlifters will never disappoint 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/dhkLC4I8lL

— Making of Champions (@MakingOfChamps) July 24, 2026

Riluwan Idris rounded off a memorable outing for the Nigerian contingent by powering to victory in the men’s heavyweight event. His winning lift earned Nigeria a third gold medal, ensuring the country claimed three of the four para powerlifting titles contested on the opening day.

Nigeria also recorded mixed results in other events. The men’s 3×3 basketball team opened its campaign with a 21-17 victory over the Cayman Islands before falling 21-15 to Australia in its second group match.

There was disappointment in the boxing ring, where Abdulramon Abdulwahab bowed out in the Round of 32 of the men’s 65kg event following a unanimous points defeat to Uganda’s Nuhu Batte.