Anyone who follows weightlifting in Canada knows the name Maude Charron. The 2020 Olympic gold medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games champion is set to lead the squad again in 2026. However, this year’s version of the team is also about transition. Of the 13 athletes, 11 are making their Commonwealth Games debut, with only Charron and Shad Darsigny returning from Birmingham 2022. Yet Canada still expects eight to nine medals, showing just how much depth the program has developed.
“We are pleased that we had a big team qualify for the Commonwealth Games. It shows that our renewed focus on junior and youth development has paid dividends,” said Craig Walker, Weightlifting Canada Haltérophilie, president. “While these are new athletes to the Commonwealth Games, they are not new to high-level competition. I think this is our strongest overall Commonwealth Games team. These are exciting athletes who can accomplish a lot!”
Walker recognizes the importance of an environment such as the Commonwealth Games and believes getting experience in these environments is crucial for development. “The pressure, spotlight, atmosphere and distractions are all on another level. Getting used to these types of environments will set our athletes up for success.”
In addition to their medal goals, Walker is optimistic that both the men’s and women’s team can compete for the overall team championships. He says that the women’s team is as strong as the version that won the team competition in Birmingham and adds that this year's men's team has considerably more depth. He feels they can do well against the big teams in the sport.
That talented group of athletes includes Charlotte Simoneau and Braydon Kennedy. Two athletes who not only have the high-level experience Walker referenced, but also the results to back it up.
Simoneau, from Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec and La Machine Rouge, is just 21 years old. However, she is already a two-time World Junior gold medalist (2024 and 2025), a junior Pan-American record holder and has won multiple other international medals. Simoneau talked about what making her Games debut means to her.
“Competing in my first Commonwealth Games represents years of training, competition, and sacrifice. It reflects the hard work behind every victory and every setback along the way. Being selected to compete at the Commonwealth Games is a big honour, and having the opportunity to represent Canada makes every challenge and sacrifice worth it.”
The Commonwealth Games experience is something that is not lost on Simoneau. She says she is looking forward to competing in front of a large crowd in an exciting atmosphere. Her hope is that a major event like the Games can help her grow as an athlete so she can be better prepared for future events.
“My first goal is to enjoy the experience and perform to the best of my abilities while meeting my own expectations. Beyond that, winning a medal is a realistic objective. Finally, achieving new personal records would make the competition a perfect one,” added Simoneau.
Mission, British Columbia’s Braydon Kennedy is another first-time Commonwealth Games athlete looking to leave his mark. Training out of Power and Grace Performance, Kennedy is already a Commonwealth Championships gold medallist and World Cup bronze medallist.
“It’s truly an honour to be able to represent Canada at a major games,” said Kennedy. “I have grown up watching the Commonwealth Games, and now to be attending it as an athlete is very exciting!”
When he steps on stage in Glasgow, the 29-year-old Kennedy is hoping to build on his already impressive résumé. “I’m excited to experience a new level of competition pressure as this will be the biggest stage I will have competed on. I hope to finish on the podium and bring home gold for Canada!”
The weightlifting competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at the SEC Armadillo in Glasgow from July 26-30, featuring 16 events: Men’s: 60kg, 65kg, 71kg, 79kg, 88kg, 94kg, 110kg, 110+kg; Women’s: 48kg, 53kg, 58kg, 63kg, 69kg, 77kg, 86kg, 86+kg
Kennedy is set to compete in the men’s 88kg category on July 28 during the morning session, while Simoneau will compete in the women’s 69kg category later that day in the evening session.
Weightlifting begins in Glasgow on July 26, 2026. To learn more about Canada's weightlifting team, visit the Media Guide on the Team Canada 2026 website or read the official team announcement.