Commonwealth: Tijani places fifth in para cycling time trial

Nigeria’s Oyindamola Abdullahi Tijani and his guide, Okeyah Bethel, finished fifth in the men’s Tandem B 1000m time trial at the para cycling Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, clocking 1:14.504 in the para track cycling event.

The Nigerian duo produced a determined performance but finished outside the medal positions in a highly competitive field, adding another chapter to Team Nigeria‘s campaign in Scotland.

The Tandem B event pairs a visually impaired or partially sighted cyclist with a sighted pilot, with success relying on seamless communication, rhythm and synchronisation throughout the race.

Tijani and Bethel maintained their pace over the four-lap contest to record a time of 1:14.504, securing fifth place against some of the Commonwealth’s leading para cyclists.

Although the result did not yield a podium finish, it highlighted Nigeria’s continued presence in para track cycling, a discipline that continues to grow within the country’s expanding para-sport program.

The outing also reflected the strong partnership between Tijani and Bethel, whose coordination and teamwork were central to navigating one of the most technically demanding events on the cycling programe.

While the medals eluded the Nigerian pair on this occasion, their performance contributed to Team Nigeria’s growing representation across the Para sports at Glasgow 2026, where the country continues to challenge across multiple disciplines.

For Tijani, the fifth-place finish provides another valuable international performance as he continues to represent Nigeria on the Commonwealth stage, while Team Nigeria’s quest for further success at the Games goes on.