Oluchi Tobex Tobe-Chukwu
Team Nigeria’s sensational run at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games reached new heights on Monday as weightlifting star Edidiong Joseph Umoafia delivered a masterclass performance to clinch the gold medal in the men’s 71kg event.
The spectacular victory secured Nigeria’s fourth gold medal of the Games, further solidifying the nation’s dominance on the weightlifting platform.
Umoafia established himself as the clear man to beat right out of the gate, setting a blistering pace that left his competitors trailing. Showcasing incredible power and technical precision, the Nigerian powerhouse lifted a commanding 147kg in the snatch. He followed that up by matching the field’s best in the clean and jerk with a 172kg lift, finishing with a massive combined total of 319kg—setting a new Commonwealth Games record in the process.
The intense battle for the podium saw Samoa’s John Lautafi Tafi push hard, matching Umoafia’s 172kg in the clean and jerk, but ultimately settling for the silver medal with a combined total of 314kg. Ezekiel Moses of Nauru rounded out the top three, taking home the bronze medal with a respectable total lift of 310kg.
Umoafia’s record-breaking triumph sparked wild celebrations among the Team Nigeria contingent in Glasgow. His performance is a testament to the rigorous preparation and strategic welfare initiatives implemented by the National Sports Commission (NSC) ahead of the Games.
With this latest golden addition, Nigeria’s overall medal tally continues to rise, keeping the squad in high spirits as momentum heavily builds toward the highly anticipated track and field events.
