Glasgow 2026: Team Nigeria Storms Athletics Semis As Medal Hunt Intensifies

Team Nigeria made a strong start to Day Five of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Tuesday, with athletes advancing in athletics and swimming as the country intensified its quest for more medals.

Edidiong Udo led the charge on the track, winning Heat One of the men’s 400 metres in an impressive 45.73 seconds to book his place in the semi-finals.

Competing in his first international 400m race for Nigeria, Udo produced a dominant performance, winning his heat by almost a second. His qualification means Nigeria will have two athletes in the men’s 400m semi-finals, with Samuel Ogazi also progressing.

There was further success in the women’s 400m, where Esther Elo Joseph secured automatic qualification for the semi-finals of her maiden Commonwealth Games.

Joseph finished third in her heat in 52.82 seconds, while experienced campaigner Patience Okon-George also advanced after clocking 53.27 seconds to finish fourth in her heat.

Alongside Ella Onojuvwevwo, Nigeria will therefore have three representatives in the women’s 400m semi-finals.

The country also made progress in the swimming pool, with Abduljabar Adama and Colins Ebingha both advancing to the men’s 50m butterfly semi-finals.

Adama finished fourth in his heat in 23.99 seconds, while Ebingha was fifth in 24.01 seconds, ensuring Nigeria will have two swimmers competing in the semi-finals later on Tuesday.

Attention will now shift to the evening athletics session, where Nigeria’s sprint stars will bid to secure places in the finals.

National record holder Kayinsola Ajayi, Favour Ashe and Nicholas Fakorede will contest the men’s 100m semi-finals, while Rosemary Chukwuma, Miracle Ezechukwu and Blessing Ogundiran will line up in the women’s equivalent.

A top-two finish in their respective semi-final heats, or one of the fastest qualifying times outside the automatic places, will be required to reach the finals.

Nigeria will also be represented in other medal events, with Oyesade Olatoye set to compete in the women’s hammer throw final with a podium finish in her sights.

In boxing, Patricia Mbata will enter the ring for her women’s 75kg quarter-final as she continues her pursuit of a medal.

Team Nigeria’s wheelchair women’s 3×3 basketball team will also take on Australia as the athletes continue their campaign for further success in Glasgow.

With six gold medals already secured, Nigeria remains firmly in contention for a highly successful Commonwealth Games campaign, with several medal opportunities still to come.

The country will be hoping its strong start to Day Five translates into another haul of medals as the competition enters a crucial stage.