By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Nigeria secured two medals in athletics at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games despite injuries and illness affecting several key athletes, with sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi and high jumper Temitope Adeshina delivering podium finishes on a dramatic night of competition.
Ajayi made history by becoming the first Nigerian male sprinter in 20 years to win a medal in the men’s 100 metres at the Commonwealth Games. His podium finish ended Nigeria’s long wait since Olusoji Fasuba claimed silver at the Melbourne 2006 Games.
Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme won the gold medal in a new Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy took silver in 9.85 seconds. Ajayi secured bronze to give Nigeria a historic result in the blue-riband event.
Nigeria’s sprint challenge also saw Favour Ashe narrowly miss qualification for the final after finishing fifth in his semifinal in 10.07 seconds, while Nicholas Fakorede placed fourth in his semifinal with a time of 10.06 seconds, missing out on a place in the final.
In the field events, Temitope Adeshina added another medal to Nigeria’s tally by winning bronze in the women’s high jump with a clearance of 1.90 metres. The performance marked a significant improvement from her 10th-place finish on her Commonwealth Games debut four years ago. Australia’s Eleanor Patterson won gold, while compatriot Nicola Olyslagers claimed silver.
Nigeria’s women’s 100 metres campaign was dealt a major setback by injuries and illness. Blessing Ogundiran was unable to start her semifinal after falling ill, while Rosemary Chukwuma sustained an apparent injury during her race but courageously completed the event. Seventeen-year-old debutant Miracle Ezechukwu also impressed despite difficult rainy conditions, finishing fourth in her semifinal in 11.23 seconds.
In swimming, Abduljabar Adama boosted Nigeria’s medal prospects by qualifying for the men’s 50 metres butterfly final with an impressive performance.
Meanwhile, boxer Patricia Mbata bowed out of the women’s 75kg event after a closely contested quarterfinal against England’s Mary Kate Smith. Mbata lost by a narrow 3-2 split decision, falling just short of a place in the semifinals.
