Powerhouse Watson raises the bar again for Aussie sport

Ian Chadband | July 25, 2026

Inspirational powerlifter Hani Watson has raised the bar again in her sport at the age of 43, becoming the first Australian para powerlifter to win two Commonwealth medals as she grabbed an emotional bronze at the SEC Armadillo Arena.

The Queenslander was left in tears of joy on Friday night (Saturday AEST) after three superb lifts earned her a second-straight heavyweight medal following her breakthrough performance in Birmingham four years ago when she famously ended Australia’s 16-year medal drought in the sport.

“It means a hell of a lot for me. I’ve had a really hard journey for the last 12 months trying to get here, and it just tells me that anything’s possible. I can do this, I will do this … so you know dreams can come true, and we’re going to keep fighting for it,” beamed the larger-than-life Brisbane character.

Watson, who’s made it her mission to empower women, girls and disabled athletes by inspiring them to embrace the sport that she feels  transformed her life, enjoyed three lifts of 140kg, 144kg and 147kg in a brilliant performance which scored her 111.5 points.

She was only bettered by the dominant Nigerian duo of Folashade Oluwafemiayo, whose score of 134.8 represented a new world record, and Rita Ferdinand’s 128.2.

Watson, who has bilateral metaphyseal dysplasia – a rare congenital condition which has caused severely bowed leg bones, chronic pain, muscle atrophy and a degenerative physical disability – had further major surgery last year which raised questions if she might still be eligible to compete in para-sports.

“There was always that little bit of a question like, ‘is she disabled enough?’ But she is still disabled enough, and I still get to follow my dreams!” said Watson.

Now she’s determined her remarkable path can take her all the way to the 2032 Olympics gold in her home city – when she’ll be 49. 

“One hundred per cent,” she said. “I made a promise to (sports minister) Anika Wells that I would medal here in Glasgow, that I’d medal in the LA Paralympics, and I will be bringing home a world record by Brisbane 2032. I’ve got to stick to it!”

This AAP article was made possible by support from Commonwealth Games Australia.