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Hani Watson has won Australia’s first medal at Glasgow 2026, becoming the first Australian Para powerlifter to win two career Commonwealth medals as she grabbed an emotional bronze at the SEC Armadillo Arena.
The Queenslander was left in tears of joy on Friday night (Saturday AEST) after three superb lifts earned her a second-straight heavyweight medal following her breakthrough performance in Birmingham four years ago when she famously ended Australia’s 16-year medal drought in the sport.
“It means a hell of a lot for me. I’ve had a really hard journey for the last 12 months trying to get here, and it just tells me that anything’s possible. I can do this, I will do this … so you know dreams can come true, and we’re going to keep fighting for it.”
Hani Watson, Para powerlifting
Watson, who made her Paralympic Games debut at Paris 2024, relished the pressure of the big stage by delivering three lifts of 140kg, 144kg and 147kg in a brilliant performance which scored her 111.5 points.
She was only bettered by the dominant Nigerian duo of Folashade Oluwafemiayo, whose score of 134.8 represented a new world record, and Rita Ferdinand’s 128.2.
The Queenslander has now set her sights on pursuing more medal success with the ultimate goal being a spot on the podium at her home Paralympic Games in six years time.
Asked whether she still can be a Brisbane 2032 contender at the age of 49, Watson’s response was emphatic.
“One hundred per cent,” she said. “I made a promise to (Federal Sports Minister) Anika Wells that I would medal here in Glasgow, that I’d medal in the LA Paralympics, and I will be bringing home a world record by Brisbane 2032. I’ve got to stick to it!”
Earlier, Daniel Bos took another step forward in his burgeoning career by setting a new Oceania record in the men’s lightweight division.
Bos opened with a lift of 142kg and his new Oceania benchmark 147kg, but missed his attempt at 150kg to move up the leaderboard. He finished ninth with 123.3 points, behind English gold medallist Mark Swan with 153.9 points.
“This is the brutality of sport. It doesn’t lie to you. To wear the green and gold for Australia is a crazy opportunity. And I never thought I’d be in this position,” Bos said.
In the women’s lightweight division, the Australian duo of Jade Pritchard and Natasha Price delivered solid performances in their debut appearances for the Australian Commonwealth Games team.
Pritchard successfully lifted 66kg and 69kg but faltered at 72kg to finish 10th with 60.6 points, while Natasha Price received green lights for lifts at 63kg and 66kg before red lights shone for her attempt at 68kgs. She finished 11th with 57.2 points.
The men’s heavyweight event concluded proceedings with Australian pair Ben Wright and Cameron Whittington in action.
At 44 years of age and 16 years after his previous Commonwealth Games appearance in Dehli, Whittington competed courageously despite battling injury. His three attempts at 175kg were all unsuccessful.
His team-mate, who won bronze at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, also showed grit during his fourth Commonwealth Games. Wright opened with a successful lift of 172kg, but missed at 177kg and 178kg to finish 8th with 110.9 points.
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia and Commonwealth Games Australia
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