Tonga has secured its first victory at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after the national lawn bowls team opened the Kingdom’s campaign on the first day of competition.

The Tonga Lawn Bowls team was the first Tongan squad to take to the greens, with Liam Hill competing in the Men’s Singles and the pairing of Milika Nathan and Paris Baker representing Tonga in the Women’s Pairs.

In the Men’s Singles, Hill faced a difficult opening match against New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy, a former world champion. Despite a strong effort, Hill was unable to overcome the experienced Kiwi competitor and fell short in their first-round encounter.

The Women’s Pairs provided a brighter start for Team Tonga, with Milika Nathan and Paris Baker claiming Tonga’s first win of the Games. The pair defeated South Africa in their opening match, marking an important milestone for the Tongan delegation in Glasgow.

The result gives Tonga early momentum as more athletes prepare to enter competition across multiple sports, including athletics, basketball 3×3, boxing, judo, netball, swimming and weightlifting.

Team Tonga’s delegation includes the national women’s netball team, the Tala, who will compete among some of the world’s strongest netball nations. The team is part of a wider group of Tongan athletes representing the Kingdom on the international stage.

For Pacific nations such as Tonga, the Commonwealth Games provide an opportunity to showcase sporting talent, build international experience and inspire future generations of athletes.

Competition continues in Glasgow, with Tongan supporters following the team’s progress as athletes aim for personal bests and further success.