Commonwealth Games: Team Nigeria shines after Day 3 Outing in Scotland

By; Sunny Canto

Amazing and incredible performance from team Nigeria's athletes at the ongoing 2026 Commonwealth in Scotland on Day Three; despite that slow start on the opener a few days ago. 

Sadly, swimming prodigy Clinton Opute couldn't make the podium in Nigeria's first competitive event after a terrible 50m buttery fly loss on 6th position.

Interestingly, following the dominance of his female counterparts in the powerlifting event, Fifty years old Riluwan Idris fought hard to emerge Nigeria's first male GOLD medalist therefore making history.

Esther Nworgu won Nigeria's first GOLD medal leading a 1-2 for Nigeria in the women's 48kg Lightweight of Powerlifting while famous Folashade Oluwafemiayo overwhelmingly setting a World Record to win GOLD in the women's Heavyweight Powerlifting class and will not rest on her oars, but will now set her sights towards the LA 2028 Paralympics.

However, it wasn't a walk on the pack but resilience, focus and impressive prowess earned a personal best lift of 75kg in the snatch before adding 93kg in the clean and jerk to finish with a total of 168kg, securing a place on the podium for Team Nigeria.

The gold medal was won by India's Mirabai Chanu, who produced a dominant display by setting two new Commonwealth Games records on her way to a total lift of 190kg.

Shockingly, Nigeria’s David Akintola had to undergo the mandatory Doctor’s checks- this is to ensure that each boxer is not concussed or in need of an urgent medical attention. 

Despite earning good points, Nigeria’s David Akintola suffered a defeat in his round of 32 Boxing fight, losing to Tanzania’s Yusuf Lucasi Changalawe. And the fight ended in a split decision for Changalawe who won in a 4-1 (win on points) to progress to the round of 16. 

While his compatriot Khadijat Ajisola bowed out of the women's 54kg boxing competition after a narrow split-decision defeat to Wales' Helen Jones. Also, the Nigerian lost 3-2 on points in a closely contested bout, with two of the five judges scoring the contest in her favour.

Earlier, Team Nigeria beat Cayman Island but suffered a 21-16 defeat to Scotland in the men's 3x3 basketball competition as well as Australia (15-20) before bouncing to winning waves of 20-19 to Guyana on Day Three event.

In summation, Australia is occupying the topmost standings with 32 medals with 14gold, 7silver, 11bronze; while England is second position with 18 having won 4gold, 8sliver as host Scotland are third position with 4gold, 2silver; and Nigeria seated fourth with 3gold, 4silver leaving South-Africa 3 gold, 2silver, 4bronze on fifty position.