Nyong’s Heroic Final Lift Secures Commonwealth Silver

Nigerian weightlifter Ruth Nyong staged a dramatic recovery to claim silver in the women’s 48kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

Nyong began strongly, recording a personal best of 75kg in the snatch to place third after the opening phase of the competition.

Her medal hopes were then thrown into doubt when she failed her opening two clean and jerk attempts at 93kg, leaving her one unsuccessful lift away from elimination.

Needing to deliver under pressure, the Nigerian rose to the occasion by making the lift on her final attempt, earning a combined total of 168kg and securing the silver medal.

India’s Mirabai Chanu successfully defended her Commonwealth title to win gold, while Malaysia’s Irene Henry settled for bronze.

Nyong had opened the event with a successful 71kg snatch before improving to a career-best 75kg on her second lift.

Although her first two efforts in the clean and jerk proved unsuccessful, she stayed composed and nailed the decisive third attempt to finish on the podium.

Chanu’s triumph handed India its first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. It also marked her third straight Commonwealth title in the event, following victories at Birmingham 2022 and Gold Coast 2018. The Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo 2020 had earlier won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Nigeria has continued to enjoy a productive outing in the weightlifting and para-powerlifting competitions, with the country now boasting a haul of three gold and four silver medals.