By Isabel Lay

Two young weightlifters have made their marks at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, with Nya Hayman and Oliver Saxton securing bronze medals in the Women’s 69kg and the Men’s 94kg respectively.

In a debut to remember, it was their displays of hard work and achievement leading up to and at the Games themselves that saw the pair fittingly recognised as Emerging Athletes for July.

“It’s an honour and privilege to be noticed especially amongst so many great debuts and performances at the Commonwealth Games,” Hayman said on receiving the accolade.

Saxton echoed the sentiment, noting that ‘being recognised for all the work and effort I’ve put in is rewarding and motivates me to keep turning up and doing my best’.

Hayman described the feeling of stepping onto the podium as a ‘special moment’ and coming away with a bronze was a milestone moment for her.

She also highlighted the Games as ‘an unforgettable experience’ and was ‘so grateful to be supported by such an amazing team at AUS HQ’.

Saxton’s experience was also filled with pride, after narrowly missing out on qualifying for Birmingham. He proudly mentions that ‘representing Australia is something [he’ll] never take for granted’.

For Saxton, the Games provided an experience that extended well beyond the competition platform.

“Being surrounded by athletes from so many different sports and countries created such a great atmosphere,” he said.

But rather than viewing his bronze medal as a culmination, Saxton sees the achievement as ‘the beginning rather than the end.’

His passion for weightlifting has been strongly influenced by his parents, including his father, Andrew Saxton, who is no stranger to the Commonwealth Games stage. A three-time gold medallist representing England, Andrew later claimed three silver medals for Australia at his final Games in 1994.

“Everything I’ve achieved since is really a result of their belief in me and my determination to keep working towards my goals,” Saxton said.

That perspective is reflected in one of the best pieces of advice Saxton has received: “to enjoy the journey” and “appreciate how far you’ve already come.”

Weightlifting has taught him to trust the process, not only in training and competition, but in life as well.

Looking ahead, Saxton has ambitions to represent Australia at the Olympics, but his goals extend beyond sporting success. He also wants to be proud of the person he is and the impact he has on those around him.

“The medals are obviously special, but I think the way you conduct yourself and the people you impact along the way are just as important.”

Meanwhile, after the success at the Games, Hayman is looking to build on the achievement and continue taking her weightlifting career to new heights.

Her love for weightlifting comes from the hard work involved and the progression she has experienced within the sport. It has taught her that “anything with enough hard work is possible.”

That mindset continues to drive Hayman, who follows the advice to “get outside of your comfort zone and constantly seek improvement.”

She believes the greatest growth comes through hard work, consistent training and being open to feedback, an approach that has continued to push her in the right direction throughout her weightlifting journey.

Looking to the future, Hayman hopes to enjoy a long career in sport, leaving no stone unturned while also making a positive impact on those around her.

“If I can inspire even one person to believe in themselves and what they’re capable of, that would be incredibly special.”

For both Hayman and Saxton, their Commonwealth Games bronze medals represent another step-in their journeys built on hard work, commitment and a desire to keep improving.

With their sights firmly set on what comes next, the pair’s performances on the platform and attitudes beyond it have earned them Emerging Athlete honours for July.

The Commonwealth Games serves as a platform for developing the future stars of Australian sport and the Emerging Athlete of the Year forms part of a refreshed Awards and Honours program developed by the CGA Heritage and Awards Committee. 

The CGA Emerging Athlete of the Year Award celebrates the next generation of Australian sport stars and those that may make an impact for Australia at major sport events in the future. 

Over the course of 2026, an athlete will be recognised each month as the Emerging Athlete of the Month and will receive a $500 contribution towards their training and competition expenses. 

Three finalists from the monthly winners will then split a $7000 cash prize, with the winner receiving $5000 and the two runners-up $1000 respectively.