Ashley’s uplifting Commonwealth Games debut

If there were any nerves when rising young Jewish weightlifter Ashley Kolomoisky entered Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo Arena on July 27 to represent Australia in her debut Commonwealth Games, you wouldn’t have known it.

Kolomoisky – who only turned 20 a fortnight ago – drew on her trademark disciplined preparation, focus, grit and determination to absolutely smash it, and prove she belongs at this level.

And from the moment she successfully completed her opening lift attempt, she displayed another trademark – a beaming smile.

Six of the 10 weightlifters in the women’s 58kg bodyweight field were aged 24 or older.

And the eventual winner was 2025 world championship silver medallist Rafiatu Lawal of Nigeria, who set three new Commonwealth Games records, including a total score of 229kg.