For most athletes, reaching the Commonwealth Games is the culmination of a lifelong dream. For Keoma and Marie Al-Ahmadieh, it is one they will experience together.
The Montreal siblings will represent Team Canada in boxing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, marking the first time they will compete at a major Games together. While Keoma returns to the Commonwealth Games after capturing bronze in Birmingham four years ago, Marie will make her Games debut as one of Canada's rising stars.
Both Keoma and Marie now train full-time at Boxing Canada's National Training Centre at the Institut national du sport du Québec and represent The Corner as their home club. The two are separated in age by just over a year with Keoma currently 23 years old, and Marie turning 22 later this year.
Their father introduced them both to the sport at a young age, first Keoma and then Marie a couple years later. “Boxing has always been a family thing,” says Marie. “I’ve never boxed without my brother. I don’t think my brother can remember a time of boxing without me.”
“I started boxing at the age of four with my dad. It was always my dad’s dream for me to become a professional boxer, so he introduced me to the sport at a very young age,” said Keoma. “I think the impact I had on her was that she always wanted to make a name for herself, and not be referred to as just my sister.”
While they started boxing together as children, they continue to train together as adults. “When my brother and I decide to train together, he is always very considerate of the physical advantages, and we work on things without involving any power or much speed. Training with my brother is more of a learning moment for me, I ask him to box like specific opponents or a specific style so I could practice different strategies with him,” said Marie.
Getting to this stage was very different for the two athletes. Keoma made his debut at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 as a 19-year-old, capturing his bronze medal. Since that time, he has gone on to capture bronze at the 2026 World Boxing Cup and silver at the 2026 Boxam International Tournament. He is the sole returning member on Canada’s 2026 Commonwealth Boxing team.
Meanwhile, Marie has been crafting her own international résumé. She won silver at the AMBC Continental Championships and bronze at the 2026 Boxam International Tournament. She also represented Canada at the 2023 Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games marks a special occasion for the siblings where they will get to compete at a multi-sport Games together. They reflected on what it means to share this experience together.
“We’ve both done a major Games on our own, but this will be the first major Games we both compete at together. I’m very excited to share this experience with my big brother,” added Marie.
“It’s an incredible feeling. Representing Canada is already a huge honour, but getting to do it alongside my sister makes it even more special. We understand the sacrifices each of us has made to get here, so being able to share this experience means a lot,” said Keoma.
Both Keoma and Marie know the opportunity that lies before them. Winning medals together would be a special moment for both siblings and their family. But they also know what they hope to accomplish in Glasgow.
“As hard as it is to fight on the same day as my brother, I really enjoy the days we both win a fight and advance in the tournament,” said Marie. “Winning a medal would mean more chances of getting to share one of those days with my brother!”
“Winning a medal together would be something we’ll never forget. It would represent years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice, not only from us but also from our family and everyone who has supported us along the way,” added Keoma.
Beyond Glasgow, both Keoma and Marie see the Commonwealth Games as an important stepping stone in their careers and remain focused on even bigger goals. For Marie, she has her sights set on qualifying for the 2028 Olympics, while Keoma is also eyeing LA2028 but plans to then go on to compete as a professional.
The boxing competition at the 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place at The SEC Centre in Glasgow from July 24 to August 1, featuring 14 events: Men’s: 55kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg, 90+kg; Women’s: 51kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 65kg, 70kg, 75kg.
Marie is set to compete in the women's 60kg division beginning July 24, while Keoma will compete in the men's 60kg division, which begins July 25.
To learn more about these or any of the Canadian Boxing athletes, visit the Media Guide and read more on the official team announcement.