Nigerian Stars Who Broke Records At The 2026 Commonwealth Games

Nineteen-year-old Samuel Ogazi emerged as one of the standout performers after winning the men’s 400 metres in a Games record time of 44.25 seconds, becoming the first Nigerian to capture Commonwealth Games gold in the event. His victory also ended Nigeria’s 32-year wait for a podium finish in the race since the late Sunday Bada claimed bronze in 1994.

In the women’s high jump, Temitope Adeshina secured bronze with a clearance of 1.90 metres, becoming the first Nigerian in six decades to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event. Her achievement matched the feat of Samuel Igun, who claimed silver in 1966.

Ezekiel Nathaniel added another milestone by winning gold in the men’s 400 metres hurdles with a time of 48.47 seconds. The African record holder became the first Nigerian man to claim Commonwealth Games gold in the event and the country’s first medallist in the discipline since 2010.

Shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi also made history after claiming gold with a winning throw of 21.07 metres, edging New Zealand’s Tom Walsh and England’s Scott Lincoln. His triumph made him the first Nigerian to win the men’s shot put title at the Commonwealth Games.

On the track, Ella Onojuvwevwo earned bronze in the women’s 400 metres, securing her first individual senior international medal and ending Nigeria’s long wait for a Commonwealth Games podium finish in the event since 1994.

Sprint sensation Kayinsola Ajayi captured bronze in the men’s 100 metres, becoming the first Nigerian to reach the Commonwealth Games podium in the event since Olusoji Fasuba’s silver medal in 2006. His achievement followed an outstanding season in which he also broke Fasuba’s long-standing national record.

In the women’s shot put, Jessica Orji claimed silver to become only the second Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event, following the achievements of Vivian Chukwuemeka.

Completing Nigeria’s list of record-makers, Udodi Onwuzurike won silver in the men’s 200 metres with a season-best time of 20.09 seconds, ending a 32-year medal drought for Nigeria in the event since Daniel Effiong’s bronze medal performance in 1994. Team Nigeria’s remarkable showing in Glasgow highlighted one of the country’s most successful Commonwealth Games campaigns in recent history, with several athletes breaking long-standing barriers across multiple disciplines.