Nigeria celebrates sixth Gold as Rafiatu Lawal rewrites Commonwealth weightlifting history

Nigeria’s Rafiatu Folashade Lawal delivered a breathtaking performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, successfully defending her women’s 58kg weightlifting title while rewriting the record books to claim the country’s sixth gold medal of the competition.

The reigning Commonwealth champion produced a dominant display, lifting a combined total of 229kg to finish well ahead of the competition and reaffirm her status as one of the finest weightlifters in the Commonwealth.

Lawal’s remarkable outing was highlighted by record-breaking lifts in all three categories, as she established new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in the snatch, clean and jerk, and overall total.

She opened her campaign with an outstanding 103kg in the snatch, surpassing both the existing Commonwealth Games Record (GR) and Commonwealth Record (CR).

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The Nigerian star followed up with another commanding performance in the clean and jerk, successfully lifting 126kg to once again set new Games and Commonwealth records.

Her combined lift of 229kg also eclipsed the previous marks, completing a historic clean sweep of records in the women’s 58kg event.

Lawal’s Record-Breaking Performance

Snatch: 103kg – New Commonwealth Games Record (GR) and Commonwealth Record (CR)

Clean & Jerk: 126kg – New Commonwealth Games Record (GR) and Commonwealth Record (CR)

Total: 229kg – New Commonwealth Games Record (GR) and Commonwealth Record (CR)

The victory marks a successful defense of the Commonwealth title Lawal previously won and further cements her reputation as one of Nigeria’s most accomplished weightlifters on the international stage.

Her latest triumph also strengthens Nigeria’s impressive medal haul at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with the nation claiming its sixth gold medal through another outstanding display in weightlifting—a sport that has consistently delivered podium finishes for Team Nigeria.

Lawal’s exceptional performance not only secured another prestigious title but also underscored Nigeria’s continued dominance in Commonwealth weightlifting, as she combined technical excellence, strength, and consistency to produce one of the standout performances of the Games.