The 34-year-old, who won a bronze medal when competing for Cameroon at the London 2012 Olympics, was making her debut for England and led the competition after the snatch section with a Commonwealth Games record lift of 111kg.

Producing her best when it mattered most, Ngake surpassed the previous benchmark to secure a memorable milestone for Team England and strengthen her position among the event’s leading weightlifters.
 

Madias Ngake’s first Commonwealth Games was at Delhi 2010, where she represented Cameroon. She finished fourth and only missed out on bronze due to being heavier than her rival. 

Two years on, the 34-year-old sought asylum in the United Kingdom following the London 2012 Olympic Games. Seven years later, she was promoted to the podium positions after the medals were reallocated, but the medal remains in Cameroon, where it was sent. 

Ngake returned to competition in 2023 for Great Britain after she met her old coach in Manchester at the British Championships, and she put her focus on qualifying for Glasgow 2026. 

“It means a lot to me. I trained for a year to come back and qualify for these Games,” Ngake said. “After 2012 I gave up lifting and only came back in 2023, and my coach has pushed me hard. 

“I focused on doing my best and listening to what my coach was telling me. I had a good time, and I needed to give my best.”