Nathaniel Wins Gold, Onwuzurike Claims Silver as Team Nigeria Shines at Glasgow 2026
Team Nigeria continued its impressive run at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, securing one gold and one silver medal on Day Eight of the competition.
The biggest moment came from Ezekiel Nathaniel, who delivered a brilliant performance to win gold in the men’s 400m hurdles, becoming the new Commonwealth champion in the event.
Nathaniel dominated the final, crossing the finish line in 48.47 seconds to claim the top spot. England’s Jake Minshull finished second with a time of 48.99 seconds, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson took bronze after clocking 49.22 seconds.
The Nigerian athlete controlled the race from the start and showed great strength in the final stages, clearing the last hurdles with confidence to secure a convincing victory.
The triumph marked a major comeback for Nathaniel, who finished sixth in the same event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Four years later, he returned stronger and more experienced to deliver a career-defining performance.
“It is a special moment for me and my country,” Nathaniel said after winning Nigeria’s latest gold medal.
Nigeria also celebrated success in the men’s 200m final, where Udodi Onwuzurike won a silver medal after an outstanding display.
Running from lane eight, Onwuzurike recorded a season-best time of 20.09 seconds to finish second in a highly competitive race.
South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile won the gold medal with 19.96 seconds, while Onwuzurike’s silver became Nigeria’s sixth silver medal of the Games.
“I’m happy with the medal and the performance. I gave everything on the track,” Onwuzurike said after the race.
Meanwhile, Nigerian athlete Jami Schlueter impressed on his Commonwealth Games debut in the men’s decathlon, finishing seventh overall with 7,665 points.
Schlueter had started strongly, sitting fourth after the opening day and remaining among the leading contenders before eventually securing a top-seven finish in one of athletics’ toughest events.
With the latest achievements, Team Nigeria’s medal tally rose to nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals, giving the country a total of 18 medals so far.
Officials of the team expressed confidence that the athletes would continue their strong performances as the Games move towards the final stages.
“We are proud of the athletes’ performances and their commitment to excellence,” said Kola Daniel, Media Adviser at the National Sports Commission.
With momentum on their side, Team Nigeria heads into the closing days of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games aiming to finish the competition on a strong note.
