Team Nigeria enjoyed a sensational start to its 2026 Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, Scotland, with Folashade Oluwafemiayo producing a world-record-breaking performance to win the Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting gold medal, Sportblits.com reports.
The reigning Paralympic and world champion once again underlined her status as one of the greatest para powerlifters in history by lifting an incredible 175kg, setting a new world record and finishing with a total of 134.8 points.
To complete a remarkable afternoon for Nigeria, compatriot Rita Ferdinand claimed the silver medal after successfully lifting 158kg, a mark that also surpassed the previous world record before Oluwafemiayo raised the bar even further.
Australia’s Hani Watson settled for the bronze medal with a lift of 111.5kg, as Nigeria completely dominated the heavyweight competition.
Oluwafemiayo continues remarkable legacy
Oluwafemiayo entered the Commonwealth Games as one of the favourites, having already established herself among the most successful athletes in para powerlifting.
The Nigerian star arrived in Glasgow as the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, multiple-time world champion, Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder.
Despite her impressive achievements, she delivered yet another outstanding performance by improving the world record and defending her Commonwealth title in dominant fashion.
Her lift of 175kg demonstrated the extraordinary strength, consistency and determination that have made her virtually unbeatable on the international stage.
The victory adds another prestigious title to an already glittering career and further strengthens her legacy as one of Nigeria’s greatest athletes.
Rita Ferdinand secures silver with outstanding display
The women’s heavyweight event also showcased the quality of Rita Ferdinand, who produced one of the finest performances of her career.
The Nigerian lifter successfully lifted 158kg, enough to break the previous world record before Oluwafemiayo surpassed it moments later.
Although she finished with the silver medal, Ferdinand’s performance highlighted Nigeria’s remarkable strength in para powerlifting and completed an unforgettable one-two finish for Team Nigeria.
Her result also confirmed her position among the world’s elite athletes heading into future international competitions.
Nigeria dominates para powerlifting
The heavyweight success came shortly after another impressive Nigerian performance in the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting category.
Earlier in the day, Esther Nworgu claimed the gold medal, while fellow Nigerian Esther Oyema secured silver, giving Team Nigeria another one-two finish.
The dominant displays reinforced Nigeria’s reputation as one of the world’s leading nations in para powerlifting, a sport in which the country has consistently excelled at the Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Ezuruike opens Nigeria’s medal account
Team Nigeria’s medal haul began with experienced para powerlifter Roland Ezuruike, who won the country’s first medal of the Games.
Ezuruike secured the silver medal in the Men’s Lightweight category, providing the perfect start for the Nigerian delegation before the women’s events added further success.
His podium finish helped set the tone for what became an outstanding opening day for Team Nigeria in Glasgow.
Nigeria’s medal tally continues to grow
The impressive performances across multiple weight categories underline the depth of Nigeria’s para powerlifting programme.
With several world champions and Paralympic medallists in the squad, expectations remain high that Team Nigeria can continue adding to its medal tally throughout the Commonwealth Games.
The National Sports Commission had earlier expressed optimism that Nigeria could enjoy one of its most successful outings at the Games, and the opening day’s results have strengthened those hopes.
Team Nigeria Medal Winners (Opening Day)
| Athlete | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Folashade Oluwafemiayo | Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting | 🥇 Gold (World Record – 175kg) |
| Rita Ferdinand | Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting | 🥈 Silver |
| Esther Nworgu | Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting | 🥇 Gold |
| Esther Oyema | Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting | 🥈 Silver |
| Roland Ezuruike | Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting | 🥈 Silver |
A perfect start for Team Nigeria
The opening day of competition could hardly have gone better for Team Nigeria’s para powerlifting team.
Winning two gold medals and three silver medals, including two one-two finishes, demonstrates the country’s continued dominance in one of its strongest sporting disciplines.
Oluwafemiayo’s world record performance will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout moments of the Games, while Ferdinand, Nworgu, Oyema and Ezuruike all made significant contributions to Nigeria’s medal tally.
With several more events still to come, Team Nigeria will now look to build on this momentum as it pursues another memorable Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow.
