Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Feb
Harrogate’s Lottie McGuinness selected for 2026 Commonwealth Games
Harrogate Paralympian Lottie McGuinness has been selected to compete in the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games this summer.
Qualifying for the British Weightlifting squad alongside seven other Brits, the powerlifter will compete against 11 other global athletes for a shot at the Women’s Lightweight title.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret yesterday (February 3), she said:
It feels great. It was a weird one because I’ve known for a while, but it wasn’t until media day that it really kicked in. Then it really hit me that I’d made the team.
I’ve shown great progression and I am ranked fourth or fifth out of my competitors, so I have a good chance of medalling. I’ve worked really hard.
Lottie qualified through her performances in World Para Powerlifting-recognised competitions last year.
In the overall world rankings, she is placed eighth in the 55 to 61-kilogram category.
It was in this category that the Paralympian broke the bench press British record twice in a day last July.
She also competed in the World Championships in Cairo in October, finishing in 10th place.
Lottie added:
I didn’t get the result I wanted in the worlds, but I learnt a lot. I’ve been working on myself and not letting others dictate how I feel in competitions. I’m a big overthinker, so it’s been about telling myself that just because something’s working for one athlete, that doesn’t mean it will work for me.
Anything could happen [in the Commonwealth Games]. I’ve just got to go out and do what I normally do, and hopefully I can come away with a good result.
The Commonwealth Games format is slightly different to normal competitions.
Instead of being capped at 55 kilograms, the 12 competitors can be any weight under 61 kilograms.
Medals are awarded to the person with the highest number of points, rather than to the person who lifts the heaviest. Points are based on how much an athlete lifts in comparison to their bodyweight.
With a British record lift of 110kg, Lottie currently lifts around 194% of her own bodyweight, putting her in with a solid chance of medalling.
0