Jodie powers up for Canada contests

GALLOWAY woman Jodie McVicar is set to represent Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
The 45-year-old, from Bridge of Dee, only took up the sport in 2020 but since then she has gone from strength to strength and has become a champion in the 84kg category.
Her strong performances caught the eye caught the attention of Team Scotland’s coaches and asked Jodie to join the team alongside 60 other athletes that will travel to Winnipeg, Canada in September.
Jodie said: “As the current Scottish champion in my age and weight category for bench press, earning the opportunity to compete for Scotland is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
“Wearing the Scotland singlet and representing my country on the international stage is a dream come true.”
The powerlifting competition is being held later this year from September 17–27, rather than in the main multi-sport Commonwealth Games due to begin this week.
Jodie competes in the master one (age 40 –49) category, for lifters weighing under 84kg. She will be one of the first athletes to take to the stage at the event, competing in the bench press only event, before taking on bench press, squats and dead lift.
Her current personal best for each lift are: bench press – 87.5 kg; deadlifts – 157.5 kg and squats 140 kg.
But competing on the Commonwealth stage brings its own financial challenges and Jodie said: “While being selected is an honour, it also comes with significant personal costs. This year I’ve been selected for two international competitions in Canada, taking place close together, meaning I’ll need to remain overseas for an extended period. “Alongside flights and accommodation, I need to maintain my training programme, recovery and nutrition throughout my stay so that I can perform at my very best when it matters most.”
So, she has started a go fund me page with the aim of raising £2000 ahead of the Canadian competition.
Added Jodie: “As a Galloway based medal winning athlete competing in an unfunded sport, this opportunity has been built entirely on determination, hard work and self-belief.
“Like many athletes competing at this level, I fund much of my sporting journey myself. Any donation, no matter the size, will help towards travel, accommodation, training facilities and competition expenses, allowing me to focus on giving everything I have for Scotland.”

n To donate visit gofundme.com and search ‘Help Me Represent Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games’.