Commonwealth Games: Temitope Adeshina Ends Nigeria’s 72-Year High Jump Medal Drought With Bronze

Temitope Adeshina etched her name into Nigeria’s sporting history after claiming the bronze medal in the women’s high jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, ending the country’s 72-year wait for a medal in the event.

Adeshina cleared 1.90 metres to secure third place in a fiercely contested final, finishing behind Australia’s Eleanor Patterson, who won gold, and Nicola Olyslagers, who claimed the silver medal.

Her podium finish makes her the first Nigerian woman to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the high jump and the first Nigerian high jumper to earn a medal at the Games since Emmanuel Ifeajuna’s historic gold at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Reacting to the achievement, the National Sports Commission (NSC) hailed the performance as a landmark moment for Nigerian athletics. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Director General of the NSC, Kola Daniel, the commission commended Adeshina’s resilience, determination and remarkable growth over the years.

The commission noted that the bronze medal was a fitting reward for years of dedication and consistent progress, describing Adeshina as one of Nigeria’s leading field athletes whose performances have continued to improve on both the domestic and international stages.

The feat also underscored her remarkable transformation since her debut Commonwealth Games appearance four years ago, where she finished 10th in the event.

Returning to the Games with greater confidence and experience, Adeshina produced a series of composed and consistent jumps to secure a place on the podium despite competing against some of the world’s finest high jumpers.

Before her success in Glasgow, only Emmanuel Ifeajuna had won a Commonwealth Games medal for Nigeria in the high jump, making Adeshina’s bronze one of the country’s most significant achievements in the discipline.

Her medal further boosted Team Nigeria’s impressive campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and reinforced the country’s growing strength in athletics. The NSC expressed confidence that her achievement would inspire the next generation of Nigerian athletes, particularly young women, to pursue excellence in field events and compete for honours on the global stage.