Commonwealth Games 2026: Rafiatu Lawal Defends Weightlifting Title In Record-Breaking Style

Commonwealth Games 2026: Rafiatu Lawal Defends Weightlifting Title In Record-Breaking Style

Sampson Adedeji

Nigeria's Rafiatu Folashade Lawal delivered a sensational performance to successfully defend her Commonwealth Games women's 58kg weightlifting title, claiming gold in dominant fashion while rewriting the record books in Glasgow, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Lawal was in a class of her own throughout the competition, setting new Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth records in all three categories.

She lifted 103kg in the snatch, before producing 126kg in the clean and jerk, finishing with a remarkable 229kg total to secure the gold medal. 

The Nigerian champion finished a commanding 14kg ahead of Canada's Ann-Sophie Taschereau, who claimed the silver medal with a total lift of 215kg.

Lawal's outstanding display earned Nigeria its sixth gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, further strengthening Team Nigeria's impressive medal haul in Glasgow.

Her victory underlined Nigeria's dominance in weightlifting and reinforced her status as one of the Commonwealth's finest athletes, with a flawless performance that left the rest of the field trailing behind.