Welsh athletes returned from the 2026 European Weightlifting Championships with a mixture of personal bests, valuable international experience, and encouraging performances amongst the elite of European talent.

Held between the 19th and 26th April at the excellent venue that was Batumi Sport Palace, in Georgia, the championships once again showcased the depth of continental talent, while also acting as a key qualification event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games cycle.

After a rigorous selection process, a squad of 10 Welsh athletes were selected to participate in Batumi. These were:

• Nikole Roberts - Women's 48kg category
• Madaline Connelly - Women's 53kg category
• Catrin Haf Jones - Women's 58kg category
• Catrin Ann Jones - Women's 58kg category
• Charlotte Whalley - Women's 63kg category
• Bethan Watkins - Women's 63kg category
• Michael Farmer - Men's 71kg category
• Laura Hughes - Women's 77kg category
• Nicola Stiddard - Women's 86kg category
• James Wales - Men's 110+kg category

Unfortunately Nikole had to withdraw from the competition due to an existing injury and requiring more time to recover.

On to the competition itself, and our group of athletes were led excellently by our National Head Coach, Gareth Evans, as well as Team Manager, Christian Pszyk, and a warm welcome back to Christie Williams who after return from her maternity leave headed over to Batumi to be part of the coaching team too.

Across the seven days of competition, Welsh athletes delivered credible performances in what proved to be a highly competitive European field. Among the standout themes for the Welsh contingent was consistency under pressure, with several athletes successfully posting results close to or exceeding their personal best. While podium finishes proved elusive for Welsh athletes, the chance to assess themselves on a major international stage marked a positive step forward.

The full list of results of each of the Welsh lifters can be found in the below graphics.

All lifters used this event to try to strengthen their IWF Commonwealth rankings and gain additional international competition experience, of whom everyone in this squad is now accustom too.

Wales Team Manager for the European Championships, Christian Pszyk, gave his thoughts:

"It was a fantastic competition in Batumi, with lifters of the highest standard showing excellence throughout. Seeing the Welsh flag represented on the European stage was a great experience for all involved, and seeing such positive results, such as Catrin Jones' PB of 178kg in the 58kg category as well as James Wales' PB of 335kg in the 110kg+ category, was another case of positive progression in preparation for the Commonwealth Games this summer."

The 2026 European Weightlifting Championships provided a challenging but invaluable test for Wales’ senior level lifters. Against a backdrop of Commonwealth Games qualification, Welsh athletes showed resilience, progression and promise.

With the British Championships on the horizon next month, the experiences gained in Batumi could prove a crucial stepping stone in going on to gain podium place positions against the best of Britain.

Acknowledgement to our Funding Partners

Weightlifting Wales would like to extend its sincere thanks to the National Lottery and the Welsh Government for their continued and invaluable support.

Their investment plays an important role in creating opportunities for Welsh athletes to compete on the international stage, including events such as these at the European Championships. This support extends far wider than just the competition itself, as it helps contribute to the coaching provision, training environments, sport science support, and the wider performance pathway that enables athletes to train and perform at their best. 

Weightlifting Wales remains extremely grateful to National Lottery players, whose ongoing support continues to make a tangible difference to athletes, and the future of our sport across the nation.