Who Are The Best Commonwealth Games Weightlifters?

As the year draws towards its close, aspiring young weightlifters may be hoping for some useful Christmas presents to help them train, while the imminent start of a New Year may prompt some resolutions in the form of fresh training goals.

However, the arrival of 2026 may provide some further inspiration, as it is a Commonwealth Games year and a chance to follow closely the fortunes of those aspiring to win medals for the home nations.

Following the decision of the Australian state of Victoria to withdraw from hosting the Games, Glasgow has stepped in, having previously staged them in 2014. However, the previous games were a full-scale affair; next year’s will not be.

Is Weightlifting Among The Sports In The 2026 Commonwealth Games?

That is the bad news, with only ten different sports included, reduced from 17 in 2014. There won’t be any hockey at the National Centre built for the purpose before 2014 at Glasgow Green, no Rugby Sevens at Ibrox and the Athletics will be switched from the 52,000-capacity Hampden Park to the 11,000-seat Scotstoun Stadium.

However, for weightlifting, things will be much as they were, with this sport not only retained, but taking place at the same venue as 2014, the Scottish Exhibition Centre (SEC), affectionately nicknamed the Armadillo. This provides a chance for athletes from across the Commonwealth to add their names to the pantheon of great weightlifters in the Games.

This means that not only will there be a chance to watch on TV, but for UK-based aspiring weightlifters, there will be the opportunity to grab some tickets and head to Glasgow to see the action live.

How Can An Adjustable Weight Bench Help Young Weightlifters Improve?

For those not ready to compete now, but hoping they may represent one of the home nations in a future Commonwealth Games (or Great Britain in the Olympics), the inspiration this could provide is considerable. But all the motivation in the world is nothing without the right equipment.

For this reason, it is especially useful for those using a home gym to have flexible equipment that enables them to do more things in a limited space.

An adjustable weight training bench is the kind of item that will enable this, as it comes with various benefits:

·       You can adjust it to undertake a range of different training exercises

·       More exercises increase muscle strength and mobility for better all-round fitness

·       It becomes easier to focus on strengthening specific muscles with targeted exercises

·       It uses space very efficiently

In addition, this flexibility enables more than one person in the house to use the bench.

Using this bench and other equipment may help you reach your training goals, which might enable you to emulate some of the greats of the Commonwealth Games.

Who Set Commonwealth Weightlifting Records in 2022?

The Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation was established in 1947 and the sport has been in the Commonwealth Games since its very first edition in Auckland in 1950.

Some sports in the games have been dominated by certain nations, such as Australia in the pool or Jamaica in sprinting, in recent years. But weightlifting has brought many champions and record holders from a wide range of nations.

For instance, the 2022 Games in Birmingham saw England’s Emily Campbell set new Commonwealth records in nine women’s categories, while Folashade Lawal of Nigeria and India’s Mirabai Chanu both achieved six.

Among the men, Don Opeloge of Samoa set seven records, while         Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt of Pakistan achieved six. Overall, 102 new weightlifting records were set, as well as 11 para-powerlifting records.

For some of these competitors, success has been hard-won. Mirabai Chanu, for example, started badly in her Commonwealth Championships debut in 2015, with no successful attempts. It is fair to say things have somewhat improved since then and she continues to excel. This year, she set a new 84 kg snatch record at the Commonwealth Championships.

Why Is Now A Golden Age For Women’s Weightlifting?

Women may be particularly inspired by the stars like Campbell and Chanu, because their participation in the Games is quite new. While men’s weightlifting dates back to the 1950 Games, the first women’s events were held in Manchester in 2002. Men’s para-powerlifting also made its debut in Manchester, with the women’s version starting in Delhi in 2010.

Overall, Australia leads the way with 160 weightlifting medals, including 59 golds, with India second on 133 and England on 121, both totals that include 46 golds.

The examples of great Commonwealth weightlifters and nations should provide lots of inspiration, both now and even more as the 2026 Games approach. Female lifters should be especially encouraged, as the 21st century has brought equal opportunities.

With the right equipment in your home gym, you can give yourself the edge to become the best weightlifter you can be.