Commonwealth Games: Umoafia Breaks Games Record, Lifts Nigeria To Fourth Gold

Team Nigeria’s Edidiong Joseph Umoafia delivered a historic performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Monday, obliterating the Games record in the men’s 71kg weightlifting division to secure the nation’s fourth gold medal.

Umoafia dominated the competition from the opening lift, posting a commanding 147kg in the snatch before matching the field’s best 172kg in the clean and jerk. His winning total of 319kg surpassed the previous Commonwealth Games record, cementing his status as the class of the field.

Samoa’s John Lautafi Tafi took silver with a total of 314kg, while Ezekiel Moses of Nauru earned bronze at 310kg.

The victory marks Nigeria’s second weightlifting medal of the Games, following Ruth Asuquo Nyong’s silver in the women’s 48kg category on Sunday. With eight total medals—four gold and four silver—Nigeria continues its strong campaign in Glasgow, with more events still to come.