Lifting the Bar: Finlay Davidson's Road to Glasgw
“Coming into the sport, making the Commonwealth Games was the first big goal I really set for myself. When I found out it was going to be in Glasgow, I became even more determined to achieve it.”
It has been an unforgettable start to the year for 21-year-old Finlay Davidson, who was announced as Team Scotland’s first Para Powerlifter selected for Glasgow 2026 just a few weeks ago.
Joining Finlay at one of his training sessions at his university in Edinburgh, we asked about the moment he got the news.
“I was absolutely buzzing to be honest,” he says with a smile.
“This has always been the goal for me.”
Finding His Strength
Finlay first tried Para Powerlifting at the Dwarf Sports Association UK National Games in 2022 and quickly found his calling.
“To be honest, I just found I was really good at it, which definitely tempted me in,” he laughs.
“Seeing it at the Birmingham Games that same year was great too.”
Having previously represented Scotland in Para Athletics, Finlay switched his discus and shot put for the barbell.
“Coming from a throws background, there’s a nice transfer of skills,” he explains.
“I really like how linear Powerlifting is and how clearly I can see my progress.”
And progress has come quickly. Within a year of taking up the sport, Finlay finished fourth at his first major championships, and last year, competed at his first senior World Championships, continuing his rapid rise on the international stage.
Building Towards the Big Stage
Back in 2024, Finlay was part of Commonwealth Sport’s GAPS programme, designed to break down barriers and create high-performance pathways for athletes, coaches and leaders.
Through the initiative, he attended a training camp in Birmingham, working alongside athletes and coaches from across the Commonwealth.
“That experience was amazing,” he recalls.
“Being in that environment and learning from different nations made me feel like I was on the right path to competing at the Games.”
Now, that path leads him to Glasgow.
After an intense two-hour training session, Finlay speaks candidly about the months ahead, starting with the European Championships in Georgia - a key opportunity to test himself against the best.
“The main goal over the next few months is simple: get stronger,” he says.
“I qualified for the Games in seventh, but I don’t want to stay there.”
At the Europeans, he will compete for Team GB. Glasgow 2026, however, will mark his first opportunity to represent Scotland in Para Powerlifting on the international stage.
“It will be a huge honour to represent Scotland,” he says.
“And going up against athletes like Mark Swan, who I’m usually teammates with, will be really fun.”
A Home Games Like No Other
Remarkably, despite being born and raised in Scotland, Finlay has never competed in Para Powerlifting on home soil. All of his competitions so far have taken place in England or overseas.
“So, this will actually be my first time ever competing in Scotland,” he says.
“There probably aren’t many people who can say that.”
On Friday 24 July, the opening day of sporting action at Glasgow 2026, Finlay will compete in the first medal event of the Games. His weight category will make history, becoming the first time a Para sport has been awarded the opening medal.
“It’s a real honour to know my home country is shining a light on Para sport in this way,” he says.
“It definitely adds a bit of pressure - but I feel ready.”
With the iconic SEC Armadillo hosting both the Para Powerlifting and Weightlifting events this summer, Finlay is preparing for the biggest crowd of his career.
“It’s going to be huge,” he says.
“The main thing is I want to enjoy it. I’d love to medal - and I’ll be leaving everything on that stage.”
For Finlay, the approach is clear: enjoy it, give everything and lift for home.
