Nigeria Wins Sixth Gold as Rafiatu Lawal Retains Commonwealth Weightlifting Title
By Gabriel Kekong
Scotland (Core Reporters) Nigeria claimed its sixth gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games after Rafiatu Folashade Lawal successfully defended her women’s 58kg weightlifting title with another record-breaking performance.
Lawal dominated the competition from start to finish, setting new Commonwealth Games records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total lift.
She opened with a 90kg snatch before lifting a Games record 103kg on her final attempt, giving her a commanding nine-kilogram advantage heading into the clean and jerk.
The Nigerian star capped a flawless outing by lifting 126kg in the clean and jerk for a record total of 229kg, securing her second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in emphatic fashion.
Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau won the silver medal with a combined lift of 215kg, while Australia’s Lani Tracey claimed bronze with 196kg.
Lawal’s victory is Nigeria’s sixth gold medal at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the country’s third gold of the day, and its third gold medal in weightlifting, highlighting Team Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Games.
