Mark Swan of England won the first gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday, taking the men's lightweight para powerlifting title with a top lift of 222kg. Swan, who won silver in 2022, finished with 153.9 points, edging Nigeria's Roland Ezeruike on countback after both recorded 153.9 points. Malaysia's Bonnie Bunyau Gustin took bronze with 153.5 points.
Para Powerlifting: Double Gold for England
Earlier, Nigeria's Esther Nworgu won gold in the women's lightweight para powerlifting with a Commonwealth record lift of 118kg. England's Olivia Broome took bronze with a lift of 119kg, settling for third after winning silver in Birmingham 2022.
In the men's event, Scotland's Finlay Davidson finished fifth after setting a benchmark of 141.4 points in Group B. Cameroon's Belinga Manga, aged 56, lifted 145kg in the same group.
Swimming: Ramsay-Peaty Advances
Adam Ramsay-Peaty progressed through the men's 100m breaststroke heats with a time of 59.46 seconds, the fastest of all heats. The session was briefly delayed by a detached lane line. Duncan Scott also advanced in the men's 200m individual medley heats, winning his heat in 1:58.81.
Gymnastics: McClenaghan Leads Pommel Horse
Northern Ireland's Rhys McClenaghan topped the pommel horse standings with a score of 14.5 in the men's artistic gymnastics team final. His floor routine scored 12.350, placing him fifth in qualifying.
3x3 Basketball: Australia and New Zealand Win
Australia's women beat Jamaica 21-13 and Kenya 21-5 in Pool A. New Zealand's men defeated Guyana 21-3 after losing to Australia earlier. Australia's men beat New Zealand 21-15.
Boxing: Mackie Advances
England's Lauren Mackie won a unanimous decision against Kenya's Amina Faki in the women's 54kg round of 16.
Ceremony and Context
The Games opened with a scaled-back ceremony, featuring KT Tunstall. Glasgow stepped in after Victoria withdrew. Ten sports are contested, with integrated para-sport.
