Nigeria’s Record-Breaking Para Powerlifters Extend Dominance with Another One-Two Finish In Glasgow
Team Nigeria’s impressive start to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continued on Friday as Folashade Oluwafemiayo delivered another record-breaking performance, leading a sensational Nigerian one-two finish in the Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event at the SEC Armadillo.
Just hours after Nigeria claimed gold and silver in the Women’s Lightweight category, the country’s para powerlifting stars once again took centre stage, reaffirming Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s leading nations in the sport.
Oluwafemiayo successfully defended her title by lifting a remarkable 134.8kg to win the gold medal while setting a new world record. The outstanding lift further cemented her reputation as one of the greatest para powerlifters in the world.
Nigeria’s dominance continued as Rita Ferdinand produced an equally impressive performance, lifting 128.2kg to secure the silver medal. Her lift also surpassed the previous world record, completing a historic Nigerian one-two finish in the event. Australia’s Hani Watson claimed the bronze medal with a lift of 111.5kg, while England’s Louise Sugden finished fourth with 106.5kg. England’s Doaa Shayea placed fifth with 93.3kg, while India’s Kasthuri Rajamani failed to register a successful lift.
The achievement marked Nigeria’s second one-two finish of the day in para powerlifting after Esther Nworgu and Esther Oyema earlier won gold and silver, respectively, in the Women’s Lightweight event. Combined with Roland Ezuruike’s silver medal in the Men’s Lightweight category, Team Nigeria enjoyed one of the most dominant opening-day performances of any nation at the Games.
The SEC Armadillo erupted in celebration as Nigerian athletes, coaches and supporters cheered Oluwafemiayo’s record-breaking lift. The excitement grew even further when Ferdinand secured the silver medal, guaranteeing another Nigerian one-two finish.
Oluwafemiayo’s latest triumph further strengthens her legacy as one of Nigeria’s finest para athletes, while Ferdinand announced herself on the Commonwealth stage with a breakthrough performance that highlights her immense potential. The outstanding results have given Team Nigeria an early boost in its quest to surpass the National Sports Commission’s target of winning between 16 and 20 gold medals at the Games, with medal events still to come in athletics, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and other sports.
As of the time of filing this report, Team Nigeria had won five medals, two gold and three silver, following an exceptional opening day in Glasgow.
