Team Nigeria is enjoying one of its strongest starts to a Commonwealth Games campaign in recent years, and weightlifting has become the country’s biggest source of success in Glasgow.
On Monday, three Nigerian lifters delivered performances worthy of the history books. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, Edidiong Joseph Umoafia and Onome Omolola Didih all claimed gold medals while setting new Commonwealth Games records in their respective events. Their victories further strengthened Nigeria’s position among the leading nations at the Games and reinforced the country’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in weightlifting.
With athletics now taking centre stage, Team Nigeria heads into another crucial day of competition carrying confidence, momentum and genuine hopes of adding more medals to an already impressive tally.
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Three Gold Medals, Three Records, One Statement
Nigeria’s latest success was built on dominant performances across three weightlifting categories.
Rafiatu Folashade Lawal successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s 58kg event after lifting a combined total of 229kg. She opened with a commanding 103kg snatch before sealing victory with a 126kg clean and jerk, setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the process. Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau claimed silver with 215kg, while India’s Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam finished with bronze.
Earlier in the competition, Edidiong Joseph Umoafia produced another record-breaking display in the men’s 71kg category. The Nigerian lifted 147kg in the snatch and 172kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 319kg, establishing a new Games record and finishing ahead of Samoa’s John Lautafi Tafi and Nauru’s Ezekiel Moses.
Onome Omolola Didih completed an unforgettable day for Team Nigeria in the women’s 53kg division. She lifted 93kg in the snatch before adding 113kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a winning total of 206kg. Her performance set new Commonwealth and Games records, while comfortably securing another gold medal for Nigeria ahead of India’s Gyaneshwari Yadav and Canada’s Rebeka Groulx.
The trio’s performances once again highlighted Nigeria’s depth in weightlifting, where consistency and technical excellence continue to deliver medals on the international stage.
Nigeria Climbs the Medal Table
The latest victories have lifted Nigeria’s medal tally to six gold and four silver medals, keeping the country among the top-performing nations in Glasgow and maintaining its status as Africa’s highest-ranked team.
Weightlifting has combined with para powerlifting to drive Nigeria’s impressive campaign. Earlier gold medals from Esther Nworgu, Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Riluwan Idris, alongside silver medals won by Esther Oyema, Roland Ezuruike and Rita Ferdinand, laid the foundation for the country’s strong start.
The success reflects years of investment in strength sports, where Nigerian athletes have consistently challenged and defeated some of the Commonwealth’s biggest names.
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Attention Turns to Athletics
Following the weightlifting success, focus now shifts to athletics, where several Nigerian stars will compete for places in finals and potential podium finishes.
Sprinters including Kanyinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe, Rosemary Chukwuma, Blessing Ogundiran and Miracle Oluebube Ezechukwu will look to progress through the 100m events, while Patience Okon George, Esther Elo Joseph and Edidiong Udo will carry Nigeria’s hopes in the 400m races.
Nigeria also has medal contenders in the field events, with high jumper Temitope Adeshina and hammer thrower Oyesade Olatoye aiming to add to the country’s growing medal collection.
With confidence running high after a remarkable display from the weightlifting team, Team Nigeria enters the next phase of the Games believing even more success is within reach.
As the competition intensifies, the country’s athletes have already shown they are capable of breaking records, winning titles and keeping Nigeria firmly in the hunt for more Commonwealth glory.
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