Kiana Elliott: From Injury to Commonwealth Games

By Sarah Maunder

Topic: Commonwealth Games

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 7:57 am

On Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 10:38 am

Kiana Elliott is competing in her second Commonwealth Games as a weightlifter.

In short:

Kiana Elliott is one of 27 athletes from South Australia competing in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

This is her second Commonwealth Games after Birmingham 2022, where she came fourth.

What's next?

Elliott is looking forward to competing with athletes she admires.

Kiana Elliott always wanted to compete in the Olympics.

When she was three, the Sydney 2000 Games inspired her.

A little seed was planted in her head, she said.

She thought gymnastics would be her path to the Olympics, but an injury made her stop at 14.

She found weightlifting while looking for another way to stay fit.

I didn't know weightlifting existed, and I found it fun, Elliott said.

I kept going, and I'm still going.

Kiana Elliott thinks weightlifting is fun.

Elliott has represented Australia in weightlifting at many events, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

She competed at the Birmingham 2022 Games after being injured two months earlier.

There was a big question if she could go, she said.

I lifted about 90-94 percent of my best, which was good enough for fourth.

Elliott is among 27 South Australians competing at Glasgow, according to the Australian Commonwealth Games website.

Anything can happen

Elliott is focused on being in a good mindset for the Games.

I don't push too hard in the gym because I need to stay physically intact for competition, she said.

Sport is like life, with stories of underdogs and triumph, Elliott said.

Kiana Elliott will compete in the 63kg event at Glasgow.

Elliott will compete against great athletes she respects at Glasgow.

Progressing past setbacks

Elliott's coach, Michael Nash, said a lot of work went into her training program.

If you know an athlete competing, share your connection with us.

Michael Nash said Elliott is one of the most technically good weightlifters he has seen in Australia.

Michael Nash says Kiana Elliott is very good at weightlifting.

Geez, what's happening here?

More women and girls have taken up weightlifting since Elliott started 13 years ago.

That's super exciting, she said.

Maybe I played a part in making weightlifting visible, Elliott said.

There's nothing better than pursuing your own strength, Elliott said.

It's fun to be in the gym as a female, Elliott said.

Elliott described weightlifting as fun and simple.

It's easy to measure progress, which makes it addicting, she said.

Kiana Elliott fits her training around her work.

Elliott said she trains around her part-time job at SA Pathology.

I don't know about balance, it's a bit off, she said.

I'm lucky to have a good relationship with my employer, Elliott said.

People think athletes have everything handed to them, Elliott said.

It's not the case, Elliott said.

I feel lucky to have good people around me, Elliott said.

I train at the South Australia Sports Institute, Elliott said.

I live near the airport and work in the CBD, Elliott said.

Do you know an athlete competing at the Commonwealth Games? Share with us

See more ABC coverage in your search results

Promotion

Sport

Topic: Rugby Union

Topic: Commonwealth Games

Topic: Water Polo

Topic: Explainer

Practice Listening

Practice Listening