Commonwealth Games 2026: Rafiatu Lawal Claims Nigeria’s Sixth Gold With Triple Record Haul

By Saheed Afolabi

Nigeria’s dominant run at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games continued on Sunday as Rafiatu Folashade Lawal secured the country’s sixth gold medal with a record-smashing performance in the women’s 58kg weightlifting event.

The reigning Commonwealth champion defended her title in emphatic style, rewriting both the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total.

Lawal opened with a superb 103kg snatch on her final attempt, breaking the previous marks and establishing a commanding nine-kilogram lead over Canada’s Ann-Sophie Taschereau (94kg). She then powered 126kg in the clean and jerk for another Games and Commonwealth record, before sealing the victory with a combined total of 229kg — also a new record in both categories.

The Nigerian finished a clear 14 kilograms ahead of silver medallist Taschereau, who totalled 215kg, leaving the rest of the field trailing.

Lawal’s latest triumph further cements Nigeria’s outstanding reputation in weightlifting at these Games, where its athletes have repeatedly delivered podium finishes and broken records.