Nikole Roberts produced a determined performance to secure sixth place in a highly fought women's 48kg competition, as the weightlifting campaign got underway at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Competing on the Commonwealth Games stage for the first time, Nikole delivered four successful lifts from six to finish with a total of 154kg, made up of a 70kg snatch and 84kg clean & jerk -  placing her 6th in the competition. An impressively straightforward opening snatch of 67kg set the tone for a brilliant session, managing an eventual snatch of 70kg in her second attempt. The Bangor born lifter sat joint fifth after the snatch’s were completed, matching Nauru's Jo-Beth Deireragea. Before showing her strength to achieve successful clean and jerks of 80kg and 84kg, with then just falling short of lifting a clean and jerk PB of 88kg in her final attempt of the competiton.

The session was won by India's Mirabai Chanu, who broke the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Games snatch record on her way to claiming gold, ahead of Nigeria's Ruth Asuquo and Malaysia's Irene Jane Henry.

For Nikole, her strong performance at a major international competition that is the Commonwealth Games marked another significant milestone of her weightlifting journey, that has already included international success at both British and European level, with another valuable experience gained here at one of the sport's biggest stages.

Nikole handled the occasion brilliantly. To make her Commonwealth Games debut and produce a solid performance like that in such a strong field, especially following enduring a recent injury setback, is something she can be proud of. She showed great composure throughout the competition and has gained invaluable experience that will help her continue progressing.

Nikole was the first Welsh weightlifter to compete at Glasgow 2026, setting the tone for the remainder of Team Wales weightlifting squad across the week.