2026 Commonwealth Games: Umoafia wins Nigeria’s fourth gold + Updated medal list
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineNigeria’s Edidiong Joseph Umoafia has won the country’s fourth gold medal at the ongoing Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after dominating the Men’s 71kg weightlifting event.
Umoafia topped the standings with a combined lift of 319kg to add another gold medal to Team Nigeria’s growing haul at the Games.
The Nigerian weightlifter recorded 147kg in the snatch before producing a 172kg lift in the clean and jerk to secure top spot.
His performance saw him finish ahead of John Lautafi Tafi of Samoa and Ezekiel Moses of Nauru in the 71kg category.
The triumph makes Umoafia Nigeria’s fourth gold medallist at the Games, joining para-powerlifters Esther Nworgu, Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Riluwan Idris.
Nworgu had earlier delivered Nigeria’s first gold medal in Glasgow by winning the Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting event.
Oluwafemiayo followed with gold in the Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting category, while Idris emerged victorious in the Men’s Heavyweight event.
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Umoafia’s success extended Nigeria’s impressive showing beyond para powerlifting, handing the country its first gold medal from weightlifting.
Team Nigeria has also secured four silver medals, with Roland Ezuruike, Esther Oyema, Rita Ferdinand and Ruth Asuquo Nyong finishing second in their respective events.
Team Nigeria medal list
Gold medals (4)
Esther Nworgu — Para Powerlifting, Women’s Lightweight
Folashade Oluwafemiayo — Para Powerlifting, Women’s Heavyweight
Riluwan Idris — Para Powerlifting, Men’s Heavyweight
Edidiong Joseph Umoafia — Weightlifting, Men’s 71kg
Silver medals (4)
Roland Ezuruike — Para Powerlifting, Men’s Lightweight
Esther Oyema — Para Powerlifting, Women’s Lightweight
Rita Ferdinand — Para Powerlifting, Women’s Heavyweight
Ruth Asuquo Nyong — Weightlifting, Women’s 48kg
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