Adeshina ends 72-year wait, wins historic Commonwealth high jump bronze for Nigeria

Nigeria’s Temitope Adeshina etched her name into the country’s sporting history on Thursday after winning the bronze medal in the women’s high jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, ending a 72-year wait for a Nigerian medal in the event.

Adeshina cleared 1.90 metres to finish third in a fiercely contested final, behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson, who won gold, and fellow Australian Nicola Olyslagers, who claimed silver.

The podium finish makes Adeshina the first Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the high jump and the first Nigerian high jumper to reach the podium since Emmanuel Ifeajuna captured gold at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada.

The National Sports Commission (NSC) described the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian athletics, commending the athlete for her resilience, dedication and remarkable progression over the years.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Director General of the NSC, Kola Daniel, the commission said Adeshina’s bronze medal was the reward for years of hard work and consistent improvement on both the domestic and international stage.

The commission noted that the achievement also reflected the athlete’s remarkable growth since her Commonwealth Games debut four years ago, when she finished 10th. Returning to the global stage better prepared and more confident, Adeshina produced a string of impressive jumps to secure her place among the medal winners.

According to the NSC, the Nigerian remained composed throughout the competition despite competing against some of the world’s best high jumpers, with her consistency under pressure proving decisive in securing the historic bronze medal.

Beyond the medal itself, Adeshina’s performance marks a significant milestone for Nigerian athletics. Before her success in Glasgow, only two Nigerians had ever won Commonwealth Games medals in the high jump, underlining the significance of her accomplishment.

Her bronze also boosts Team Nigeria’s medal tally at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and reinforces the country’s growing reputation in athletics.

Sports officials and enthusiasts have hailed the feat as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, particularly young women, expressing optimism that Adeshina’s success will encourage greater participation in field events and stimulate increased investment in athletics development across Nigeria.