Record-breaking Nworgu wins Nigeria’s first gold medal

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Esther Nworgu won Team Nigeria’s first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, setting a new Games record twice in the women’s para powerlifting lightweight category before completing the title with a winning lift of 123kg for 119 points.

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Nworgu, aged 24, opened the competition by setting a Games record of 114.1 points with a successful first-attempt lift of 118kg, a mark that put her in the lead after the opening round.

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Less than 10 minutes later, she improved on her own record, lifting 123kg to score 119 points and secure the gold medal outright.

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According to the NSC, in line with the National Sports Commission’s enhanced athlete welfare and reward policy, Nworgu received an instant cash reward of $5,000 at the competition venue, in addition to a further $5,000 paid directly into her account, bringing her total reward for the gold medal to $10,000.

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Nworgu’s triumph gave Team Nigeria a perfect start to its para powerlifting campaign in Glasgow and set the tone for further success from the squad on the opening day of competition.

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