Defending champion Goodness Nwachukwu produced a stunning breakthrough in the women’s discus throw in the F42-44/F61-64 category on Wednesday, smashing the world record with a heave of 39.66 metres to deliver Nigeria a seventh Commonwealth Games gold and spark a roar from the crowd at Scotstoun Stadium.
Her winning effort triggered a “NEW WR” notification on the stadium scoreboard and earned her 1,130 points under the para-athletics scoring tables. She finished well clear of Wales’ Funmi Oduwaiye, who claimed silver with 38.52m and 931 points. Bree Cronin, also representing Wales, completed the Welsh one-two behind Nwachukwu, taking bronze with a 36.00m throw and 861 points.
Nigeria also had another strong performance in the final, with Destiny Agbo posting a personal best of 33.79m to place fifth and collect 787 points.
The gold further underlined Nwachukwu’s control of the event, adding to her history of Commonwealth success that includes an earlier title and a world-record breakthrough at Birmingham in 2022. It also represented her second straight world-record performance at this Commonwealth Games.
Shot put: Nigeria earns silver in separate final
In another medal contest, 19-year-old shot putter Jessica Oji secured silver for Nigeria with a throw of 17.87 metres. It was her first appearance at the Commonwealth Games after changing allegiance from the United States earlier in the year.
Sarah Mitton of Canada won the gold with 19.88m. Jamaica’s Lloydricia Cameron also reached 17.87m, matching Oji’s distance, but was placed third on count-back, leaving the Nigerian debutant with second place.
A University of Pennsylvania athlete and the holder of the Nigerian shot put record, Oji emerged as one of the most promising young figures in the country’s field-events pipeline after the result.
Nigeria’s gold-and-silver haul on the day took its overall Commonwealth Games return to seven gold, five silver and two bronze, making 14 medals in total, with additional events still to be confirmed.
