Sarah Davies aims for gold in possible final Commonwealth Games

If this year’s Commonwealth Games happens to be the final one of her career, Sarah Davies is hoping that she can go out in a blaze of glory.

The Preston weightlifter will aim for her second successive gold medal today in the 63kg weight category in Glasgow.

Having claimed silver at 69kg on the Goal Coast, Australia, in 2018 - she went one better four years later when she claimed gold in the 71kg classification in Birmingham.

The 33-year-old, who turns 34 in a matter of weeks, is hoping she can repeat her success of 2022 especially as this year’s event is likely to be her last.

And it promises to be extra special for Davies as Glasgow was the scene of her first Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Aged just 21 at the time, the former Garstang High School pupil who hails from the village of Bilsborrow, was extremely inexperienced back then and was placed overall seventh in the 63kg classification.

It feels fitting that she is competing in the same category today, hoping to achieve a medal at three different weight categories at the commonwealths across her career

The double European champion, who came fifth in the 64kg competition at the 2021 Tokyo Games, admits it will be nice to go back to the place where it all began for her a dozen years ago.

Glasgow stepped-in to stage the event this summer after original choice Victoria, in Australia, withdrew as hosts.

“It will be nice to be back in Glasgow,” said Davies, who is recently married.

“It was where my first Games was back in 2014. That performance maybe did not go quite as well as I would have liked

“I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I was very inexperienced. I had not been lifting that long so to go back to Glasgow and lift there again for what will probably be my last Commonwealth Games will be a very cool experience.”

While reminiscing about her very first Commonwealth Games is nostalgic for Davies, her victory four years ago in Birmingham provides her with huge belief and confidence.

“To have all my family and friends there watching me win four years ago was really, really special,” said Davies.

“It was the year after the Tokyo where we didn’t have any crowds so to be able to perform in front of a crowd, that was what made it really special.

“Glasgow is not far from Birmingham, it’s over the border but it still feels like a home Games.

“It’s something I remember when I was watching the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 as a kid when I was doing gymnastics.

“I had the goal to put on an England tracksuit and represent my country. I actually had the replica kit from the Manchester Games so to finally stand on top of the podium and win a Commonwealth Games gold medal was really special.”