Commonwealth Games

Saturday, 25 July 2026, 6:47 am

Hani Watson takes a moment alone before lifting.

There is a two-minute countdown when para powerlifters enter.

In that time, they settle on the bench and get ready to lift.

The music fades out when the lifter is ready.

Not Hani Watson, though.

For 30-40 seconds, Watson is very still.

Her coach, Simon Bergner, hurries to get everything ready.

Watson sits, eyes closed, and thinks of her late mum.

Her mum's words are 'You got this, darlin'.'

When Hani Watson lifts, she lifts more than the weights.

Watson credits her mum for making her strong.

Watson believes in her spirit and energy, which she calls 'mana'.

She says, 'I listen to my internal voice and calm down.'

Watson won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games.

She says, 'As kids, we don't listen to our parents, but I'm listening now.'

Watson was strong enough to win bronze with a 127kg lift in 2022.

This time, she lifted 147kg and won another bronze medal.

Watson didn't think she could lift that much, but she did.

She says, 'I just blocked it out and hit it.'

The crowd was excited by Watson's easy lifts.

The Nigerians won silver and gold, with Folashade Oluwafemiayo setting a record.

Folashade Oluwafemiayo is very good, but Watson is trying to catch up.

Watson hopes to close the gap by the 2028 Paralympics.

Watson says, 'It's nice to have someone to chase, and I look up to her.'

Watson thinks it's good to have mentors, and Oluwafemiayo is one.

Oluwafemiayo broke her own record, even though she weighs less than Watson.

Lani Pallister won Australia's first gold at the Commonwealth Games.

Both Watson and Oluwafemiayo have added a lot of muscle since the last Games.

Watson says Oluwafemiayo is like a 'big chunky cow' with all her muscle.

Watson watches Oluwafemiayo and asks her for advice.

Watson needs someone to look up to because the sport is always changing.

As long as Oluwafemiayo is there, Watson will keep trying to catch up.

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