Nigeria secures sixth gold medal at Commonwealth Games with Lawal’s record-breaking lift
Team Nigeria has continued its strong performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Rafiatu Folashade Lawal securing the country’s sixth gold medal. Lawal delivered a dominant, record-breaking display in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event.
Lawal, the reigning Commonwealth champion, successfully defended her title. Her performance saw her establish new records for both the Commonwealth Games and the Commonwealth itself. She lifted 103kg in the snatch, setting new Games and Commonwealth records, and followed this with a 126kg lift in the clean and jerk, achieving another double record. Her combined total lift of 229kg further cemented new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records, leading to a decisive victory.
Lawal’s impressive showing placed her 14kg ahead of Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau, who earned the silver medal with a total of 215kg. This margin highlighted Lawal’s superiority throughout the competition.
Nigeria’s Weightlifting Success
Lawal’s gold medal came shortly after Onome Omolola Didih secured Nigeria’s fifth gold medal. Didih achieved this in the women’s 53kg event, also with a record-breaking performance. She set Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch with 93kg, the clean and jerk with 113kg, and a total lift of 206kg.
Earlier on Monday, Edidiong Umoafia initiated Nigeria’s gold medal streak in weightlifting. Umoafia won the men’s 71kg title, setting a Commonwealth Games record with a total of 319kg.
These victories underscore Nigeria’s strong presence in weightlifting. The country’s para powerlifters had previously set the stage for the medal charge during the initial days of the Games.
Nigeria’s first three gold medals were won by Esther Nworgu, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, and Riluwan Idris in para powerlifting. In addition to the gold medals, silver medals have been secured by Roland Ezuruike, Esther Oyema, Rita Ferdinand, and weightlifter Ruth Asuquo Nyong.
Nyong’s Silver Medal Comeback
Ruth Nyong earned a silver medal in the women’s 48kg event on Sunday. Nyong demonstrated a notable comeback to secure her medal.
Initially, Nyong placed third in the snatch with a personal best lift of 75kg. However, she faced a challenge when she missed her first two clean and jerk attempts at 93kg, putting her at risk of elimination. Despite the pressure, Nyong maintained her composure and successfully completed the lift on her final attempt, securing the silver medal.
Nyong concluded the event with a total lift of 168kg, finishing behind India’s Mirabai Chanu. Malaysia’s Irene Henry claimed the bronze medal in the same event.
Nyong began her campaign confidently, lifting 71kg on her first snatch attempt and then achieving a new personal best of 75kg with her second lift. Her ability to recover after failing two clean and jerk attempts highlights her resilience in the competition.
Chanu’s victory marked India’s first gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, as she successfully defended her women’s 48kg title. This was Chanu’s third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal, having also won the event in Birmingham in 2022 and on the Gold Coast in 2018. She had previously won a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Overall, Nigeria has had an impressive campaign in the weightlifting and para-powerlifting events, accumulating three gold and four silver medals so far. With events such as athletics, wrestling, boxing, and additional weightlifting competitions still to come, Team Nigeria anticipates an increase in its medal count as it aims for one of its most successful Commonwealth Games performances.
Source: premiumtimesng.com
