Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, Abdul Wahid Omar; Africa’s number one para powerlifter, Tahiru Haruna, as well as swimmers Abeku Jackson and Nubia Adjei will be the first out for Ghana in boxing, para powerlifting and swimming as the 2026 Commonwealth Games gets underway today in Glasgow, Scotland.
The country’s top swimmer, Abeku Jackson, will be the first Ghanaian to compete in Glasgow 2026 when he dives into the water in heat 4 of men’s 50m backstroke at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in the morning session.
Jackson, 26, making his fourth appearance at the Commonwealth Games following previous showings in 2014, 2018 and 2022, told the Daily Graphic after rounding up intense training yesterday of his determination to beat his personal best of 26.97.
He competes against seven others for a place in the next round as he aims for a historic podium finish on the big stage.
Also competing today in swimming is UK-born Nubia Adjei, 23, in women’s 50m butterfly in pursuit of a better result than she did four years ago in her debut Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Boxing
In boxing, 2014 and 2022 bronze medallist, Abdul Wahid Omar, faces a tough start in the men’s 65 kg division against Patris Mughalzai of England for a place in the round of 16.
Omar’s motivation at a fourth Commonwealth Games couldn’t be higher after receiving a $3,000 outstanding reward from the Minister of Sports, Kofi Iddie Adams, yesterday, fulfilling an amount owed by the state for his bronze medal feat in Glasgow 12 years ago.
In para sports, the nation’s King’s Baton Bearer at yesterday’s opening ceremony, Tahiru Haruna, will face a stern test in men’s heavyweight (over 72kg) para powerlifting competition.
The Paris 2024 Paralympian comes into his first Commonwealth Games as Africa’s number one, and is aiming to challenge for a podium finish.
“Most of the athletes I’ve seen before, but this is my first Commonwealth Games; it’s quite different from the Paralympics because we have all been combined. So I’m very prepared and will fight to win,” he told the Daily Graphic exclusively yesterday.
