Team Nigeria Hunts for Athletics Medals at Commonwealth Games

Team Nigeria will target at least four medals in athletics on Tuesday at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, as its track and field athletes continue their quest for podium finishes.

Nigeria’s hopes will be led by reigning national 100 metres champion Favour Ashe, who qualified for the men’s 100m semi-finals alongside Fakorede Adekalu and national record holder Kayinsola Ajayi.

In the women’s 100m, African Under-20 champion Miracle Ezechukwu progressed to the semi-finals and will be joined by Blessing Ogundiran and Rosemary Chukwuma, who also secured qualification after impressive performances in the preliminary rounds.

On the field, high jumper Temitope Adeshina will compete in the women’s high jump final against 11 other athletes, while Sade Olatoye will challenge for a medal in the women’s hammer throw final after booking her place through Monday’s qualification round.

Nigeria’s athletes produced encouraging displays on the opening day of track events, raising expectations of multiple medal opportunities.

Ashe dominated Heat One of the men’s 100m, clocking 10.10 seconds with a legal tailwind of +1.5 metres per second to comfortably finish ahead of Kenya’s Meshack Babu, who crossed the line in 10.21 seconds.

The national champion eased off before the finish after opening a commanding lead, conserving energy for the semi-finals.

Ezechukwu also impressed on her Commonwealth Games debut, overcoming the disadvantage of running from lane eight to win her women’s 100m heat in 11.32 seconds despite a headwind of -1.5 metres per second.

She finished ahead of Barbados’ Kishawna Niles, who recorded 11.52 seconds, while Ghana’s Deborah Acheampong placed third in 11.66 seconds.

Ogundiran and Chukwuma also advanced to strengthen Nigeria’s chances of reaching the final and competing for medals.

In the women’s hammer throw qualification, Olatoye registered a best effort of 62.75 metres to finish 10th in Group A, a performance that secured her place in Tuesday’s final.

Attention will now turn to the semi-finals and finals, where Team Nigeria hopes to add athletics medals to its growing Commonwealth Games tally after successes in weightlifting and para-powerlifting.