The Nigerian lifted an opening 118kg to set a new Commonwealth Games record, before improving to 123kg on her second attempt. Her efforts translated to 119 points, clinching the top spot on the podium.
Team Nigeria completed a dominant one-two finish, with veteran Esther Oyema claiming silver after a best lift of 125kg for 115.5 points. England’s Olivia Broome took bronze with 119kg (106.6 points).
Record-Breaking Start for Nigeria’s Para Powerlifters
Nworgu’s explosive display marked a sensational debut at the Games for the rising star, who has previously excelled on the global stage. The 123kg lift not only secured gold but also underlined Nigeria’s continued supremacy in para powerlifting, a discipline in which the country has historically dominated.
Esther Oyema, a seasoned competitor with multiple Commonwealth and Paralympic medals to her name, demonstrated resilience by overcoming an earlier no-lift to post a strong 125kg best. Her silver medal adds to an illustrious career that includes world records and podium finishes at previous editions of the Games.
Olivia Broome, who won silver at Birmingham 2022, produced a solid performance to earn bronze, continuing her strong form in the lightweight category.
Historical Dominance in Para Powerlifting
Nigeria have long been the powerhouse in Commonwealth Games para powerlifting, winning the majority of medals across multiple editions. The sport, which features bench press competitions adjusted by bodyweight coefficients, has consistently delivered success for Nigerian athletes.
This latest success comes on Day One of the Glasgow 2026 Games, with para powerlifting providing some of the earliest medals of the competition. Nigeria’s para powerlifting team arrived with high expectations, building on strong showings at recent Paralympic and continental events.
Key Results – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting:
- 🥇 Gold: Esther Nworgu (Nigeria) – 123kg, 119 points (Commonwealth Games record)
- 🥈 Silver: Esther Oyema (Nigeria) – 125kg, 115.5 points
- 🥉 Bronze: Olivia Broome (England) – 119kg, 106.6 points
The one-two finish for Nigeria highlights the depth and quality within their para powerlifting squad. Nworgu’s record lifts set an early benchmark for the competition and provided a perfect launchpad for Team Nigeria’s campaign in Glasgow.
This result further cements Nigeria’s reputation as a force in para sports on the Commonwealth stage, delivering an emotional and memorable start to the Games for fans and athletes alike.