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Para powerlifting will award the first of the 215 gold medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games on Friday (24 July), when the competition opens with two afternoon sessions followed by two evening sessions at the SEC Armadillo.<\/p>\n
It marks the first time in Commonwealth Games history that a Para sport will deliver the opening medal tally, with 47 athletes from 15 delegations set to compete. Para powerlifting has featured on the programme since 2002.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince joining the programme 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 \u2013 and continue following them on the global stage in future events,” said Massimo Dighe, Acting Head of World Para Powerlifting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four medal events will be contested: men\u2019s and women\u2019s lightweight and heavyweight categories, with results determined using a coefficient formula based on each athlete\u2019s bodyweight and best lift.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s lightweight covers athletes up to and including 72kg, with heavyweight for those above 72kg. In the women\u2019s events, lightweight includes up to 61kg and heavyweight those above 61kg.<\/p>\n
Complete results will be available on the Glasgow 2026 official page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Malaysia\u2019s two-time Paralympic champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin is back to defend his Commonwealth title in the opening event of the Games. The four-time world champion is also the men\u2019s up to 72kg world record holder, lifting 232kg at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since his silver medal four years ago in Birmingham, Mark Swan has become one of the leading athletes in the up to 65kg category, winning Paralympic silver in Paris and world bronze at Cairo 2025. He\u00a0is expected to be one of Gustin\u2019s main challengers.\u00a0<\/p>\n Competing for Great Britain at World Para Powerlifting events, Finlay Davidson will have his first opportunity to represent Scotland on the international stage \u2013 and in front of the home crowd. Having previously competed in Para athletics, he switched his discus and shot put for the barbell.<\/p>\n \u201cComing from a throws background, there\u2019s a nice transfer of skills. I really like how linear powerlifting is and how clearly I can see my progress,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd going up against athletes like Mark Swan, who I\u2019m usually teammates with, will be really fun.\u201d<\/p>\n India and Nigeria will each field two athletes. Parmjeet Kumar, India\u2019s first World Championships medallist (bronze at Tbilisi 2021), competes alongside teammate Ashok. Nigeria is represented by Ibrahim Dauda and two-time Paralympic medallist Roland Ezuruike.<\/p>\n Did you know: the first medal of #Glasgow2026<\/a> will be won by a para athlete? \ud83e\udd47<\/p>\n The first time in Commonwealth Games history! \ud83d\ude4c<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf0 https:\/\/t.co\/wrN418KRbq<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/05L5ibkhUd<\/a><\/p>\nMen\u2019s Lightweight<\/h2>\n
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