Team Nigeria will continue its quest for more medals at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Thursday with some of the country’s biggest athletics stars, including world record holder Tobi Amusan, African record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel and shot put ace Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, all scheduled to compete in what promises to be another pivotal day of competition.

Having enjoyed an impressive campaign across weightlifting, athletics and para sports, Nigeria heads into Day Eight with renewed optimism as athletes compete in four medal events and several crucial qualifying rounds. Blueprint reports

The country’s medal tally has continued to grow steadily since the Games began, with weightlifters laying the foundation through a string of dominant performances before the athletics team began adding to the haul.

One of the highlights so far has been Rafiatu Folashade Lawal’s sensational defence of her Commonwealth Games title in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event. Lawal not only retained her crown but also rewrote the Games record books after setting new Commonwealth records in the snatch, clean and jerk and total lift to hand Nigeria its sixth gold medal.

Her victory came after other Nigerian weightlifters had also mounted the podium, reaffirming the country’s long-standing dominance in Commonwealth weightlifting.

The momentum has since shifted to athletics, where Team Nigeria has already begun making significant impact.

Athletics begin to deliver medals

National high jump record holder Temitope Adeshina opened Nigeria’s athletics medal account after winning bronze in the women’s high jump with a clearance of 1.90 metres.

The achievement was quickly followed by sprint sensation Kanyinsola Ajayi, who produced another impressive performance to claim bronze in the men’s 100 metres after clocking 9.90 seconds behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who shattered the Commonwealth Games record with an outstanding 9.83 seconds.

Ajayi had earlier qualified for the final by winning his semi-final in 9.94 seconds, emerging as Nigeria’s lone representative in both the men’s and women’s 100 metres finals after Favour Ashe, Nicholas Fakorede and the women’s trio narrowly missed qualification.

Nigeria has also enjoyed encouraging performances in the qualifying rounds.

Jennifer Obi Chukwuka booked her place in the women’s 200 metres semi-finals after winning her heat in a personal best 23.26 seconds, while Olayinka Olajide also progressed after finishing third in her race.

In the men’s event, Udodi Onwuzurike qualified comfortably for the semi-finals, ensuring Nigeria remains strongly represented in the sprint races.

Shot put specialist Chukwuebuka Enekwechi also impressed by topping Group B in the qualification round with a throw of 20.03 metres to secure automatic qualification for Thursday’s final.

Amusan begins title pursuit

Thursday’s programme will be headlined by Nigeria’s biggest athletics star, Tobi Amusan, who begins her quest for another Commonwealth Games title in the women’s 100 metres hurdles.

The world record holder arrives in Glasgow in impressive form after recording victories on the Diamond League circuit this season, including outstanding performances in Rabat and Paris.

Amusan remains one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects and will be determined to underline her status as Africa’s greatest female hurdler by adding another Commonwealth title to her growing list of achievements.

Her appearance is expected to attract significant attention as athletics fans anticipate another commanding display from the Nigerian star.

Nathaniel seeks another milestone

African record holder Ezekiel Nathaniel will also be one of the centrepieces of Thursday’s programme when he competes in the men’s 400 metres hurdles.

Nathaniel has enjoyed remarkable progress over the last two seasons and enters the event as one of the strongest contenders for a medal after consistently producing world-class performances.

The Nigerian quarter-miler has emerged as one of Africa’s leading one-lap hurdlers and will be aiming to move one step closer to another major international podium finish.

Enekwechi targets podium finish

Attention will also shift to the men’s shot put final, where Enekwechi hopes to convert his qualification performance into a medal.

The experienced thrower has remained Nigeria’s leading shot put athlete for several years and enters the final with genuine hopes of finishing among the medals against a quality international field.

His qualification performance demonstrated consistency and composure, qualities that will be crucial in Thursday’s medal contest.

Busy programme across track and field

Beyond the headline events, several other Nigerian athletes will also be in action throughout the day.

Samuel Ogazi returns for the men’s 400 metres semi-finals, hoping to continue his impressive rise in international athletics.

Obiageri Amaechi will compete in the women’s discus throw final, where she will attempt to secure another podium finish for Team Nigeria.

Nigeria will also be represented by Chinecherem Nnamdi in the men’s javelin qualification, while Patience Okon George, Esther Elo Joseph, Ella Onojuvwevwo and Edidiong Udo continue the country’s challenge in the women’s and men’s 400 metres.

Jennifer Obi Chukwuka and Olayinka Olajide resume their campaigns in the women’s 200 metres after advancing from the opening round, while Udodi Onwuzurike returns in the men’s semi-finals.

Other athletes expected to compete include Jami Schlueter, Unyima Uwak and Oyindamola Tijani as Team Nigeria seeks to maximise every medal opportunity available.

Medal race gathers momentum

With Nigeria already establishing itself among the leading nations at the Games through its outstanding weightlifting performances and encouraging athletics displays, Thursday presents another opportunity to strengthen its position on the medals table.

Officials remain optimistic that the combination of experienced campaigners such as Amusan, Enekwechi and Nathaniel, alongside emerging stars like Ajayi, Chukwuka and Onwuzurike, can deliver another successful day for Team Nigeria.

As the athletics competition gathers momentum in Glasgow, expectations continue to rise that Nigeria will add more medals before the Games conclude, further reinforcing the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations on the Commonwealth stage.