Glasgow 2026: Nathaniel Strikes 400mH Gold, Onwuzurike Sprints to 200m Silver, as Team Nigeria Ends Day 8 on a High
Team Nigeria wrapped up an outstanding Day 8 at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with another gold and silver medal, as Ezekiel Nathaniel was crowned Commonwealth champion in the men’s 400m hurdles while Udodi Onwuzurike produced a sensational performance to claim silver in the men’s 200m on Friday night.
The latest podium finishes further strengthened Nigeria’s impressive medal haul and capped another memorable day of competition.
The standout performance of the evening came from Ezekiel Nathaniel, who delivered a commanding display to win the men’s 400m hurdles gold medal in 48.47 seconds. Nathaniel controlled the race from the opening stages before powering clear to finish ahead of England’s Jake Minshull, who claimed silver in 48.99 seconds, while Jamaica’s Assinie Wilson took bronze in 49.22 seconds.
Nathaniel’s victory represents a remarkable rise on the Commonwealth stage after finishing sixth at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Four years later, the Nigerian returned stronger, faster and more determined to stand atop the podium as Commonwealth champion.
Nigeria’s sprint success continued in the men’s 200m final, where Udodi Onwuzurike, running from the outside lane eight, produced one of the performances of the championships. The Nigerian clocked a season’s best of 20.09 seconds (+1.7) to win the silver medal, finishing behind South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile, who secured gold in 19.96 seconds.
Earlier in the day, Jami Schlueter concluded a memorable Commonwealth Games debut in the men’s decathlon, finishing seventh overall with 7,665 points across the ten events.
Schlueter impressed throughout the competition, sitting fourth after the opening day and remaining among the leading contenders through six events before ultimately securing a commendable top-seven finish in one of the Games’ most demanding disciplines.
Nigeria’s tally moves to 9 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze, for a total of 18 medals.
Team Nigeria heads into the closing stages of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games with renewed confidence, growing momentum and determination to continue flying the nation’s flag high.
