Lottie McGuinness has been named in Team England’s Para Powerlifting squad ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
McGuinness, who is one of seven para-athletes named in the Para Powerlifting squad, will compete in the women’s lightweight category alongside teammate Olivia Broome.

On being selected for her debut Commonwealth Games, the Harrogate-born lifter said:"It was quite a surreal feeling; it’s something that I’d thought of in the back of my head, having these games to qualify for, after being part of the England Futures programme at Birmingham 2022.”

“Seeing everyone compete in Birmingham was amazing, and I was like, "I want to do that so badly," because the audience, the atmosphere, and even just walking into the arena were so incredible. To now have the opportunity to do it is just crazy, and I am very grateful for that, and I’m excited as well.”

The former Team England Futures Programme member could add her name to the history books as she looks to medal in one of a record 47 Para sport medal events at this year’s games.

Glasgow 2026 will have a fully integrated Para Sport programme across six of the ten sports, with numerous para sports having an increased number of events and participants.

On competing in a record-breaking games for Para sport, McGuinness, who won a silver medal at her first international championships, said: "It's incredible because for me, Para sport gave me my future. London 2012 was a massive opportunity for Paralympic sport, and it was the most viewed Paralympic Games. I think that might have been beaten by Paris now, but it was the most viewed Paralympic Games of all time at that time.”

“It inspired so many people, and it was such an incredible movement, and the crowds and the views were just off the scale, and Paralympic sport made me realise what I was capable of because at the time I didn’t really think I was capable of much, but it gave me something I could look ahead and work towards and something I wanted to do, and it gave me a dream, and to see para sport just rising and rising is so incredible.”

McGuinness made her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships, and three years later she went on to represent ParalympicsGB at the 2024 Paris Games.

At the Paralympics she finished 4th in the women’s up to 55kg category after a best lift of 105kg left her just 3kg short of the bronze medal.

On her Paralympic debut and the next Paralympic Games, the Manchester 2021 Para Powerlifting World Cup bronze medallist said: "The past two years have taught me a lot, and I never thought it would. I was a different person two years ago, and the people around me have noticed this massively and are proud of me for that, and I’m proud of myself for that.”

“I look back at what I was like before, and now I feel like I am who I’m meant to be. I’m in this sport, and I love it. It's my job, and I’m thriving at it, and I think I’ve learnt so much these two years, and I can now transfer it through the next two. And if I’ve done ok the past two years despite learning everything, what can I do in the next two?

At the 2026 Commonwealth Games, McGuinness will compete on the opening day of competition, as both the men’s and women’s lightweight finals will take place in session 1 of the Para Powerlifting schedule.

The second and final session of the Commonwealth Games Para Powerlifting events will also take place on the opening day of competition when the men’s and women’s heavyweight champions will be crowned.

On competing on the opening day of competition, the former swimmer said: "When I realised that we were going to be one of the first events, I was like ‘holy moly,' and I thought, 'This is a chance to make history; why not? I love it.'"

“It’s going to be tight, I’m not going to lie, but I’m excited for that. I’m excited to put on a show, and I’m excited to basically give it my all and give back to the people that have got me here. I’ve got loads of people going, and if I were to medal – actually, I’m going to reword that: when I medal, because we’ve got to change that mindset – it would be an incredible feeling in front of my family and friends.”

The opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games will take place on Thursday 23rd July, whilst the first sporting events will take place the day after (Friday 24th July).

The games will then see athletes from over 70 countries compete in 10 sports until the final day of competition and the closing ceremony on Sunday, 2nd August.