Australia’s top weightlifters are bound for Glasgow 2026, with the team selected to represent the green and gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Scotland announced today.
Headlining the contingent is reigning Commonwealth champion Eileen Cikamatana, who will aim to defend her title won at Birmingham 2022, continuing her remarkable record as one of Australia’s most successful modern weightlifters.
Cikamatana previously made history by winning Commonwealth Games gold for two different nations and remains a leading contender in the women’s heavyweight division.
Speaking on her selection, Cikamatana said she is proud to once again represent Australia on the Commonwealth stage.
“It’s always an honour to wear the green and gold. Defending my title in Glasgow is a huge motivation, and I’m ready to do the work and give everything for Australia,” Cikamatana said.
Also named in the team is Ridge Barredo, who returns for his third Commonwealth Games appearance after representing Australia at Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022.
Barredo is joined by Birmingham 2022 Team Members Kiana Elliott, Brenna Kean and Suamili Nanai, all of whom bring valuable experience to the squad and will again compete on the sport’s biggest regional stage.
Among those earning debut selection are Ryven Ewing, Nya Hayman, Ashley Kolomoisky, Chloe Perkins, Isabella Andueza and Rory Scott, as well as 23-year-old Oliver Saxton whose selection caps a demanding international qualification campaign.
Saxton has travelled extensively across multiple continents to compete in qualifying events, chasing lifting opportunities in his bid to secure Commonwealth Games selection.
His perseverance and consistency on the international circuit have now earned him a long-awaited debut on the Commonwealth Stage.
Saxton said the journey to Glasgow has been both challenging and rewarding.
“It’s been a long road to get here, travelling from competition to competition and chasing every opportunity to qualify. To finally be named in the Commonwealth Games team means everything, and I’m proud to represent Australia,” Saxton said.
The Glasgow 2026 team reflects the continued strength and depth of Australian weightlifting, with seven athletes, including two juniors, selected for their Commonwealth Games debut, highlighting the next generation of talent emerging through the national program.
Chef de Mission Petria Thomas OAM OLY said selection is one of the great milestones in an athlete’s sporting journey and congratulated the weightlifters on earning the opportunity to represent Australia in Glasgow.
“Congratulations to every athlete selected on the Weightlifting Team for Glasgow 2026,” Thomas said.
“It is a tremendous achievement for all and a reward for the hard work and commitment shown throughout the qualification process.
“The excitement is building as we move closer to Glasgow, and I look forward to seeing this team embrace the experience and proudly represent the green and gold on the Commonwealth stage.”
Australian Weightlifting Federation CEO Ian Moir praised the commitment shown by the selected athletes throughout the qualification period and said the team was ready to make its mark on the Commonwealth stage.
“This team has earned its place through a highly competitive qualification process and every athlete selected should be proud of what they have achieved,” Moir said.
“Glasgow will provide a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to test themselves against the Commonwealth’s best, and we are excited to see what this team can accomplish.”
AUSTRALIAN WEIGHTLIFTING TEAM – GLASGOW 2026 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
| Name | Event | Age | State | Commonwealth Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isabella Andueza | Women’s 77kg | 30 | VIC | Debut |
| Ridge Barredo | Men’s 110kg | 30 | NSW | Gold Coast 2018; Birmingham 2022 |
| Eileen Cikamatana | Women’s 86kg | 26 | VIC | Birmingham 2022 – gold medallist |
| Kiana Elliott | Women’s 63kg | 28 | SA | Birmingham 2022 |
| Ryven Ewing | Men’s 88kg | 23 | QLD | Debut |
| Nya Hayman | Women’s 69kg | 21 | QLD | Debut |
| Brenna Kean | Women’s 53kg | 31 | VIC | Birmingham 2022 |
| Ashley Kolomoisky | Women’s 58kg | 19 | VIC | Debut |
| Suamili Nanai | Men’s 110kg+ | 31 | WA | Birmingham 2022 |
| Chloe Perkins | Women’s 48kg | 20 | QLD | Debut |
| Oliver Saxton | Men’s 94kg | 23 | WA | Debut |
| Rory Scott | Men’s 79kg | 26 | QLD | Debut |
Weightlifting made its first debut at Auckland 1950, with the women’s competition introduced at the Manchester 2002 Games.
Kiril Kounev is Australia’s male record holder for most gold medals won at the Games, winning six gold medals, three at each of the Victoria 1994 and Kuala Lumpur 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Deborah Acason (nee Lovely) is Australia’s female record holder for weightlifting medals with a total of five medals, including a gold, three silver and a bronze.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will run from 23 July to 2 August. Weightlifting events will take place at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), in the SEC Armadillo, from Sunday 26 to Thursday 30 July.
