Team Nigeria’s dominance in para powerlifting at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continued in spectacular fashion on Friday night as Riluwan Idris powered his way to a magnificent gold medal in the Men’s Heavyweight event, extending Nigeria’s remarkable run at the SEC Armadillo.
Idris produced a commanding display throughout the competition, finishing with 132.8 points to clinch the Commonwealth title ahead of England’s Matthew Harding, who settled for silver with 131.0 points. Malaysia’s Nicodemus Manggoi Moses completed the podium with 120.3 points, while India’s Sudhir, the defending Commonwealth champion, finished fourth on 114.1 points.
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The Nigerian strongman kept his composure under pressure, delivering when it mattered most to hand Team Nigeria yet another memorable victory in what has become an extraordinary opening day of competition.
Sports247, reporting from Glasgow, witnessed jubilant celebrations inside the SEC Armadillo as Nigerian coaches, teammates and supporters erupted after Idris was confirmed as the new Commonwealth champion. The victory further underlined Nigeria’s reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of Commonwealth para powerlifting—a status the nation has built over the years with consistent medal-winning performances.
Idris’ triumph came just hours after Folashade Oluwafemiayo shattered the world record to win the Women’s Heavyweight title, with Rita Ferdinand claiming silver. Earlier in the day, Esther Nworgu won gold with a Commonwealth Games record in the Women’s Lightweight event, Esther Oyema added silver, while Roland Ezuruike also secured silver in the Men’s Lightweight competition.
The latest success means Team Nigeria has now collected an astonishing six medals from para powerlifting alone on the opening day, once again proving why the country remains the benchmark in the sport at the Commonwealth Games.
Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting – Final Standings
🥇 Riluwan Idris (Nigeria) – 132.8 points
🥈 Matthew Harding (England) – 131.0 points
🥉 Nicodemus Manggoi Moses (Malaysia) – 120.3 points
4️⃣ Sudhir (India) – 114.1 points
5️⃣ Tahiru Haruna (Ghana) – 112.0 points
DNF Bryan Junency Gustin (Malaysia)
Team Nigeria medal table – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Medal Total
🥇 Gold 3
🥈 Silver 3
🥉 Bronze 0
Total 6
Nigeria’s medal winners
🥇 Riluwan Idris – Men’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (132.8 points)
🥇 Folashade Oluwafemiayo – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record)
🥈 Rita Ferdinand – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record)
🥇 Esther Nworgu – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (Commonwealth Games Record)
🥈 Esther Oyema – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting
🥈 Roland Ezuruike – Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting
Sports247 Medal Watch
🥇 Gold: 3
🥈 Silver: 3
🥉 Bronze: 0
Overall: 6 medals
With three gold medals already secured and several medal events still to come, Team Nigeria has made an emphatic statement on the opening day in Glasgow, taking significant strides toward the National Sports Commission’s target of 16 to 20 gold medals. Sports247 will continue to bring readers breaking news, exclusive interviews and live reports as Nigeria’s pursuit of Commonwealth glory gathers momentum.
