"VAN" (Sports Desk - 17.07.2026) :: The first gold medal of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be won by the superhuman strength athletes of Para Powerlifting it has been announced.
Athletes and fans will get the historic chance to see, close up, the first of 215 gold medal performances - including a record breaking 47 for Para sport - over the 11 days of elite sporting action.
The incredible feats of Para Powerlifting will be witnessed at the SEC Armadillo on Friday 24 July over two sessions, 13.00-16.30 and 18.00-21.30 - and the start list is packed with the world’s best. The Weightlifting sessions are fought out between 26 July and 30 July.
Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting is explosive viewing with some athletes lifting up to three times their body weight with the possibilities of seeing world records. It isn’t just about the strength but the tactical games of choosing the right weights in the bid to become Champions.
In a powerful statement, it’s the first time in Commonwealth Games history that a Para sport opens the medal tally.
Gym-enthusiasts and fitness fanatics will appreciate the feats and be able to measure their own performances against the elite and appreciate the quality athletes competing as the Games come alive.
Big emotions will be on show inside the Armadillo, where the Commonwealth’s strongest athletes will battle it out on stage to secure their place in the history books and win a Commonwealth Games medal, one of weightlifting’s most prestigious prizes.
Team Scotland has Hope Gordon (Women’s Heavyweight - over 61kg) and Finlay Davidson (Men’s Lightweight – under 72kg) competing.
Hope, an amputee, is a world class Para canoeist and Para Nordic skier and veteran of Beijing 2022, said: “Being part of Team Scotland is a lifelong dream. When I heard the Games were heading back to Glasgow, I knew I had to try to be part of it. Glasgow holds a lot of memories for me. It’s where I spent a lot of time in hospital as a child, so it’s been a big part of my life, just not necessarily for the most positive of reasons.
"For my family as well, having to travel down from the Highlands to Glasgow on a regular basis to visit me in hospital, it was a pretty tough time for them too. The thought of being able to compete for Scotland in Scotland, and in Glasgow, and try to spin those memories to make it more of a positive vibe for my family and friends is exciting.”
Team England’s Olivia Broome, a double Paralympic bronze medallist, is looking to go one better than her silver medal in Birmingham 2022 in the Women’s Lightweight, and teammate Mark Swan is a Paris 2024 silver medallist, current European Champion and can bench press 220kg.
Malaysia’s two-time Paralympic Champion, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is back to defend his title in the Men’s Lightweight. Team Nigeria’s Women’s Heavyweight reigning champion Folashade Oluwafemiayo is looking for another gold after her world record four years ago. Nigeria topped the medal table last time out with four, including gold and two silvers.
Para Powerlifting is the ultimate test of upper body strength, with athletes competing in the bench press discipline in classes based on gender and weight. All athletes competing in the Para Powerlifting event have an impairment in their lower limbs or hips that meets the minimum impairment criteria to compete.
Weightlifters compete over eight weight categories, in the men’s ranging from 60kg to the giants of 110kg-plus, and in the women’s events between 48kg and 86kg-plus.
Natalie Cunningham, Director of Sport at Glasgow 2026, said: “It is a powerful statement that Para Powerlifting will be the first medals won at Glasgow 2026. They will amaze the crowd with their feats of strength and explosive lifting ability. Both the Para Powerlifting and the Weightlifting entries are packed with the world’s best with some legends of the sport with a host of major medal wins. Alongside that we have emerging superstars. The crowds at the SEC will be treated to an intense and emotional competition.”
Massimo Dighe, Acting Head of World Para Powerlifting and Director of World Para Sports said: “Since joining the program over 20 years ago, Para Powerlifting has become an integral part of the Commonwealth Games. To have the first medal of Glasgow 2026 coming from our sport is a major milestone and a fantastic opportunity for fans to see the world's best Para powerlifters in action right on day one – and continue following them on the global stage in future events."
In weightlifting, athletes compete in two disciplines. The snatch sees the lifter pick up the barbell with a wide grip and raise it overhead in one fluid motion.
In the clean and jerk, the lifter first cleans the bar to their shoulders, pauses, then drives it overhead (jerk) with locked elbows, holding it steady until the buzzer sounds.
Lifters get three snatch attempts and three clean and jerk attempts. Weights increase throughout the competition, and athletes must tactically select what to go for at each stage, often impacted by the choices of their nearest rivals.
The combined total of each lifter’s best snatch and best clean and jerk decides the finishing positions.
Team Scotland has named newly-crowned British champions Madeline Rosher, a rising superstar of the sport, Alex Mackay, Angus Doig and Drew Burns. Former international Scottish gymnast turned weightlifter and local lifter, Beth Ashbee competes in her first Games.
Elinor Middlemiss, Chef de Mission of Team Scotland, said: “To compete at a Commonwealth Games is special, but to do so in front of a home crowd in Glasgow will make it even more memorable. I am confident our weightlifting team will embrace the occasion and represent Scotland with pride both on and off the platform.”
England’s Emily Campbell is the most successful British female weightlifter of modern times and a Birmingham 2022 Champion. Emily is set to return to the stage to not only retain her title but cement her status as a leading super heavyweight and hungry to set new Commonwealth records.
Rising superstar and Samoan golden girl, teenager Seine Stowers (77kg) is a junior Commonwealth Champion and ready to raise the roof with potential world record attempts.
Team India topped the medal table in the last two Games with ten in Birmingham 2022, including three golds. Mirabai Chanu is a double gold Commonwealth Games medallist in the women’s 48kg returning to Glasgow where her Commonwealth Games journey started back in 2014. Harjinder Kaur and Bindyarani Devi were Birmingham 2022 silver medallists looking to improve and go for gold, respectively.
Papua New Guinea’s weightlifting team is a true family affair with a set of brothers and a set of sisters competing, most notably Dika Toua who has competed at every female Olympic games since its inclusion in Sydney 2000. Aussie Oliver Saxton’s dad, a former weightlifter competed for Great Britain at the 1988 Olympics and is a Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games Champion and his mum was also a GB weightlifter.
Australia also sees the return of their most successful lifter and reigning Commonwealth champion Eileen Cikamatana. Canada has former Olympic champion, 2022 Champion and World silver medallist, Maude Charron and rising star Etta May Love joining the line up in Glasgow.
Mohammed Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation, said: "The entire weightlifting community is expecting a thrilling competition in Glasgow, in what will surely be another demonstration of the vitality and strength of our Sport in the five continents. Weightlifting has been present at the Commonwealth Games since 1950 and we are proud of the value and excitement it brings to the competition. Glasgow 2026 will be no exception to the rule and we naturally wish the best of luck to all participants in the event."
Glasgow 2026 is the largest sporting event in the UK this year, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in 10 sports and six Para sports, in four iconic venues across the city.
The final ticket drop is on sale now for Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting with tickets for as little as £10.
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