Team Nigeria Opens Glasgow 2026 Medal Account as Ezuruike Wins Silver

Posted : 25 July 2026

Team Nigeria enjoyed an encouraging start to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday as Paralympian Roland Ezuruike won the country's first medal of the competition before the men's 3x3 basketball team celebrated a historic victory.

Ezuruike claimed the silver medal in the Men's Lightweight Group A Para Powerlifting event after recording a total of 153.9 points. The experienced Nigerian lifter came close to winning gold and attempted a Commonwealth Games record lift of 190kg with his final effort but was unable to complete the lift, finishing second overall.

His silver medal was immediately rewarded under the National Sports Commission's enhanced athlete welfare and incentive programme. Ezuruike received an instant cash reward of $2,000 for his podium finish and qualified for an additional $2,000 performance bonus, bringing his total earnings to $4,000.

Nigeria's celebrations continued in the basketball competition as the men's 3x3 team recorded the country's first-ever victory in the event at the Commonwealth Games. The Nigerians defeated the Cayman Islands 21-17 in a composed display to boost their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.

Esosa Okundaye and Ikechukwu "Ike" Nwamu led the scoring with six points each, helping Nigeria maintain control during the contest and secure the landmark result.

Speaking after the match, Nwamu credited the team's extensive preparations for the impressive performance.

"It was a great match. We fought hard and our preparations paid off as we won Nigeria's first game in 3x3 basketball at the Commonwealth Games.

"We are now getting ready for the next two games. Playing for Nigeria means a lot to me, and every opportunity I have to represent my country means everything.

"We thank the National Sports Commission for allowing us to prepare properly. We trained with the Netherlands national team, who won the gold medal in 3x3 basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and that preparation really helped us," he said.

Nigeria will continue its group-stage campaign later on Friday with a tough fixture against Australia before concluding the opening round against New Zealand as the team chases a place in the quarterfinals.

It was a less successful day in the boxing ring, where Ayomide Foly Hassan exited the men's competition in the Round of 32 following a narrow defeat to Refiloe Thai. Although Hassan believed he had done enough to earn the decision, the judges awarded victory to his opponent.

Team Nigeria's focus now shifts to another busy day of competition. Esther Oyema and Esther Nworgu will compete in the women's lightweight para powerlifting events, while reigning world champion Rita Ferdinand and multiple Paralympic and Commonwealth champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo will feature in the women's heavyweight category. Rilwan Idris is also scheduled to compete in the men's heavyweight division, while Abdulramon Abdulwahab will represent Nigeria in the men's 68kg boxing event.

Team Nigeria Opens Glasgow 2026 Medal Account as Ezuruike Wins Silver

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