By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
With just seven days to the start of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth weightlifting champion and African record holder, Onome Omolola Didih, has expressed confidence that Team Nigeria is well prepared to win medals for the country.
The 53kg weightlifting star said the National Sports Commission (NSC) has provided the athletes with the support and conducive environment needed to compete at the highest level, praising both the local training camp and the ongoing final preparations in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Didih described the camping arrangements as excellent, noting that the serene environment and world-class training facilities have enabled the athletes to remain focused ahead of the Games.
She also commended the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation for their commitment to the team’s preparation.
“I am living my dreams representing Nigeria, and I am grateful for the opportunity. The National Sports Commission has helped us prepare adequately, while the Weightlifting Federation has continued to encourage and support us throughout this journey,” she said.
Didih heads into the Commonwealth Games in impressive form. She finished fourth at the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships before dominating the women’s 53kg event at the 2025 African Weightlifting Championships in Mauritius, where she won three gold medals after lifting a combined total of 203kg.
She successfully defended her African title at the 2026 African Senior Weightlifting Championships in Egypt, claiming another clean sweep of three gold medals with a total lift of 192kg to remain Africa’s top-ranked lifter in her category.
The Nigerian weightlifter also won gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in Ahmedabad, India, last year, further strengthening her credentials as one of Team Nigeria’s brightest medal hopes for Glasgow 2026.
Calling on Nigerians to rally behind the contingent, Didih appealed for prayers and support throughout the Games.
“We urge Nigerians to keep praying for us and cheering us on as we compete for the country. We will do all we can to make them proud and with their support, nothing is impossible,” she said.
Team Nigeria is currently in Aberdeen, Scotland, completing its final phase of preparations ahead of the opening ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on July 23, with the athletes aiming to sustain the country’s rich tradition of success at the multi-sport event.
