By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
Team Nigeria made a strong start to Day Six of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi qualifying for the men’s final and three Nigerian sprinters advancing to the 200 metres semifinals as the country’s medal quest gathered momentum.
Enekwechi, the Commonwealth and African champion, needed only one throw to seal his place in the men’s shot put final. His opening effort of 20.03 metres comfortably surpassed the automatic qualification mark, reinforcing his status as one of the leading contenders for gold.
On the track, Jennifer Obi Chukwuka impressed on her Commonwealth Games debut, winning her women’s 200m heat in a personal best of 23.26 seconds. She finished ahead of Canada’s Marie-Eloise Leclair, who clocked 23.50 seconds, to secure automatic qualification for the semifinals.
Fellow Nigerian Olayinka Olajide also progressed to the women’s 200m semifinals after placing third in her heat in 23.62 seconds. She finished behind Lavanya Williams, who won in 22.91 seconds, and Veronica Pereira, who came second in 23.00 seconds.
In the men’s 200m, Udodi Onwuzurike delivered one of Nigeria’s standout performances of the morning, powering to victory in Heat Five with a time of 20.31 seconds despite a +2.4m/s tailwind. He finished ahead of Shamar Horatio (20.83 seconds) and Lamin Camara (21.19 seconds) to secure his place in the semifinals.
However, Alaba Akintola’s campaign ended in the heats after he finished third in Heat Two in 20.96 seconds. He was beaten by Zambia’s Zablon Ekwam, who won the race in 20.42 seconds, and Wanyae Belle, who finished second in 20.79 seconds.
Attention now turns to the evening session, where Nathaniel Ezekiel will compete in the men’s 400m heats, while Jessica Oji will contest the women’s shot put final. Boxer Blessing Orakwe is also scheduled to compete in the women’s 70kg quarterfinal.
Nigeria will also be represented by Mary Osijo in the women’s 86kg weightlifting final, while Goodness Nwachukwu and Destiny Agbo will feature in the women’s para athletics discus throw. In the men’s T47 100m final, Ifeanyi Christian will be aiming to boost Nigeria’s medal tally.
At the close of the Day Six morning session, Team Nigeria had won 12 medals—six gold, four silver and two bronze—with several more medal opportunities still to come before the end of the Games.
