Glasgow 2026: Nathaniel Wins 400m Hurdles Gold, Onwuzurike Takes 200m Silver as Nigeria’s Medal Haul Reaches 18
Oru Leonard
Team Nigeria rounded off an impressive Day 8 at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with another gold and silver medal, as Ezekiel Nathaniel stormed to victory in the men’s 400m hurdles while Udodi Onwuzurike claimed silver in the men’s 200m final.
The latest podium finishes boosted Nigeria’s medal tally to 18, reinforcing the country’s strong showing at the Games and maintaining momentum heading into the closing stages of the competition.
Nathaniel delivered a commanding performance in the men’s 400m hurdles, crossing the finish line in 48.47 seconds to secure the Commonwealth title. He finished ahead of England’s Jake Minshull, who settled for silver in 48.99 seconds, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson claimed bronze in 49.22 seconds.
The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for Nathaniel, who finished sixth at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Four years later, the Nigerian hurdler returned in dominant fashion to capture the gold medal and cement his place among the Commonwealth’s elite athletes.
In the men’s 200m final, Onwuzurike produced one of Nigeria’s finest sprint performances of the championships. Running from lane eight, he clocked a season’s best of 20.09 seconds to secure the silver medal, finishing behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who won gold in 19.96 seconds.
Earlier, Jami Schlueter completed an impressive Commonwealth Games debut by finishing seventh in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,665 points. Schlueter had been among the leading contenders throughout the competition, sitting fourth after the opening day before securing a commendable top-seven finish in one of athletics’ most demanding events.
With the latest results, Team Nigeria’s medal tally now stands at nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals, bringing the country’s total to 18 medals.
The National Sports Commission expressed confidence that Team Nigeria would carry its winning momentum into the final days of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as the athletes continue their quest for more medals and national glory.
The statement was signed by Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director General of the National Sports Commission, on July 31, 2026.
