Commonwealth Games 2026: Edidiong Joseph Umoafia Reveals The Grind Behind Winning Gold In Glasgow

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria weightlifter, Edidiong Joseph Umoafia has opened up on the preparation, sacrifices and mindset that powered him to gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Having taken bronze in the same event at Birmingham 2022, Umoafia was determined to climb higher this time. He delivered, claiming Nigeria’s fourth gold of the Games in the men’s 71kg category.

“It was not easy for me, but I had to try my hardest after the last Commonwealth Games,” he said.

“After I won bronze in Birmingham, I went back and trained hard, every day, every chance, every minute, and I tried to use my time well. I used all my thinking for this moment, for this day.”

Looking ahead, Umoafia hopes any financial rewards from his success will help sustain his career, with new training equipment and a car high on his priority list.