Commonwealth Games 2026: Finlay Davidson in para weightlifting

Weightlifter Finlay Davidson says he will be inspired to lift weights in front of a home crowd for the first time when he competes for the inaugural medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 21-year-old will compete in the men’s under-72kg lightweight category this summer – which will be the first time the Commonwealth Games have opened with a para-sporting event.

Davidson was inspired to take the sport of para weightlifting seriously by watching the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and now hopes to threaten for a medal in July.

He has lifted in two world championships but has never competed in a competition on Scottish soil.

Davidson, from Inverkeithing-in-Fife, is mentored by renowned weightlifting coach Neil Crosby, who guided amputee Micky Yule to Commonwealth silver in 2022.

He is ranked seventh in the Commonwealth, and although he is realistic about his gold and silver prospects – with England’s Mark Swann and Malaysia’s Pony Bunyau Justin among notable contenders – he is not intimidated by his task.

“Those two have come out on their own, they’re very strong. But I think I can realistically challenge for at least fourth place,” he told BBC Sport Scotland.

“Every now and then, I just focus on getting stronger to close the gap with the lifters above me.

“I’ve learned a lot from competing at the World Championships. The first was the Junior Championships – but a lot of the lessons were about travelling. This time I’ll be at home, in front of a Scottish audience for the first time.

“It’s going to be emotional. It’s been a dream of mine to compete at the Commonwealth Games ever since I started the sport. I never thought I’d get the chance to do it at home.”

“When Australia pulled out and Glasgow stepped in, I knew I had to be there. It would be one of the proudest moments of my life.”