Team Nigeria’s extraordinary start to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games reached even greater heights on Friday as Folashade Oluwafemiayo produced another record-breaking masterpiece, leading a sensational Nigerian one-two finish in the Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting event at the SEC Armadillo.
Just hours after Nigeria celebrated gold and silver in the Women’s Lightweight category, the nation’s para powerlifting stars once again took centre stage, leaving the packed arena in awe with a performance that reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s undisputed powerhouses in the sport.
Folashade Oluwafemiayo successfully defended her dominance by lifting a staggering 134.8kg, smashing the World Record on her way to an emphatic gold medal.
As the celebrations were still unfolding, fellow Nigerian Rita Ferdinand delivered another astonishing performance, lifting 128.2kg to secure the silver medal. Remarkably, her lift also surpassed the previous World Record, capping a breathtaking Nigerian clean sweep of the top two positions.
Australia’s Hani Watson claimed the bronze medal with 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 was unable to register a successful lift.
The incredible achievement marks Nigeria’s second one-two finish of the day in para powerlifting after Esther Nworgu and Esther Oyema had earlier claimed 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 has now produced one of the most dominant opening-day performances of any nation at the Games.
Sports247, reporting from Glasgow, witnessed emotional celebrations inside the SEC Armadillo as Nigerian athletes, coaches and supporters erupted with joy following Oluwafemiayo’s record-breaking lift. The atmosphere became even more electric when Rita Ferdinand secured silver, guaranteeing another Nigerian one-two finish and sending waves of celebration through the arena.
For Oluwafemiayo, the latest triumph further strengthens her reputation as one of Nigeria’s greatest para athletes, while Rita Ferdinand announced herself on the Commonwealth stage with a remarkable performance that promises even greater things to come.
The stunning performances have also given Team Nigeria an early boost in its quest to surpass the National Sports Commission’s target of 16 to 20 gold medals, with several medal events still to come in athletics, wrestling, boxing, weightlifting and other sports.
Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting Results
Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Nigeria) – 134.8kg (World Record)
Rita Ferdinand (Nigeria) – 128.2kg (World Record)
Hani Watson (Australia) – 111.5kg
