Glasgow 2026: Adeshina Ends 72-Year Wait For Nigeria High Jump Medal As Enekwechi Reaches Final

Temitope Adeshina ended Nigeria’s 72-year wait for a Commonwealth Games high jump medal after securing bronze at the Glasgow 2026 Games, while Chukwuebuka Enekwechi comfortably booked his place in Friday’s men’s shot put final.

Adeshina cleared 1.90 metres to finish third behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson and Nicola Olyslagers, becoming the first Nigerian woman and only the third Nigerian high jumper to win a Commonwealth Games medal.

Her historic achievement comes 72 years after Emmanuel Ifeajuna won gold at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

Nigeria’s only other high jump medallist was Josiah Majekodunmi, who claimed silver at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland.

Adeshina’s bronze therefore represents a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics, as she became the first Nigerian woman to stand on the Commonwealth Games high jump podium.

The Nigerian national record holder’s achievement also added to Team Nigeria’s growing medal haul in Glasgow and provided an early highlight on Day Six of competition.

Enekwechi, meanwhile, needed just one attempt to secure his place in Friday’s shot put final.

The Commonwealth and African champion unleashed a 20.03m opening throw to comfortably surpass the automatic qualification mark and underline his credentials as one of the leading contenders for gold.

The Nigerian will now turn his attention to Friday’s final, where he will seek to convert his impressive qualifying performance into another medal for Team Nigeria.

Nigeria also enjoyed a strong morning on the track, with three sprinters progressing to the semi-finals of the 200m.

Making her Commonwealth Games debut, Jennifer Obi Chukwuka stormed to victory in her women’s 200m heat in a personal best of 23.26 seconds (+1.4m/s), finishing ahead of Canada’s Marie-Eloise Leclair, who clocked 23.50 seconds.

Olayinka Olajide also advanced after finishing third in her heat in 23.62 seconds (+0.8m/s). Jamaica’s Lavanya Williams won in 22.91 seconds, with Singapore’s Veronica Shanti Pereira second in 23.00 seconds.

In the men’s event, Udodi Onwuzurike produced another impressive display, winning Heat Five in 20.31 seconds despite a strong +2.4m/s tailwind.

However, Alaba Akintola failed to progress after finishing third in Heat Two in 20.96 seconds.

With Adeshina already making history and Enekwechi preparing for Friday’s medal showdown, Nigeria will be hoping its athletics contingent can maintain its momentum as the Glasgow Games enter a crucial phase.