Team Nigeria’s medal haul at the 2026 Commonwealth Games continued to grow on Friday as Esther Nworgu claimed the country’s first gold medal of the Games in the women’s para powerlifting lightweight event, while Esther Oyema secured the silver medal in a memorable one-two finish.
Nworgu produced a record-breaking performance to lift 123kg and score 119 points, edging compatriot Oyema, who finished with 115.5 points after a successful lift of 125kg. England’s Olivia Broome claimed the bronze medal with 119kg and 106.6 points.
The Nigerian duo dominated the competition from the outset, with Nworgu setting the tone on her opening attempt. She successfully lifted 118kg to register 114.1 points, establishing a new Commonwealth Games record.
Oyema attempted to surpass that mark with a 125kg lift on her opening attempt but was unsuccessful. Nworgu then returned to the platform less than 10 minutes later and raised the standard once again, lifting 123kg to improve her own Games record to 119 points.
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Oyema responded with a successful 125kg lift on her second attempt, moving into the silver medal position with 115.5 points to complete a dominant outing for Team Nigeria.
The silver medal adds another chapter to Oyema’s distinguished Commonwealth Games career. The 44-year-old previously won gold in the women’s 61kg event at Glasgow 2014 and the women’s lightweight category at Gold Coast 2018, setting world records on both occasions.
For Nworgu, the victory represents another significant milestone in an already impressive career. The Nigerian had won silver in the women’s 49kg event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and has now added a Commonwealth Games gold medal to her growing collection.
The medals take Nigeria’s tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games to three, following Roland Ezuruike’s silver medal in the men’s Lightweight Group A para powerlifting event earlier in the competition.
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