Finlay Davidson meets Stoltman's ahead of Commonwealth Games

Finlay Davidson, from Inverkeithing, will represent Team Scotland in para powerlifting this summer in Glasgow, in the men's lightweight under-72kg category.

The 21-year-old will compete for the first medal of the Games, on July 24 at the SEC Armadillo, and he is being backed for success by Tom and Luke Stoltman.

The siblings, from Invergordon, know what it takes to pick up weighty success.

Inverkeithing para powerlifter, Finlay Davidson, trained with Tom and Luke Stoltman as part of preparations for the Commonwealth Games. (Image: Michael Traill.)

Tom, 32, is a three-time winner of the World's Strongest Man, and the first Scot to do so, whilst Luke, 41, is a two-time European winner, and a six-time world finalist.

They welcomed Finlay, who first tried para powerlifting at the Dwarf Sports Association UK National Games in 2022, to their Stoltman Strength Centre to pass on some hints and tips.

"I never thought I'd get to compete at a home Games, and I never thought I'd have the chance to train with two of the world's biggest strength athletes," Finlay said.

"I can't believe both are coming true.

"The Stoltman Brothers are an inspiration for what they've done on a world stage, while managing to stay so grounded and down to earth. They're brilliant guys and top training partners - we definitely learned a lot from each other.

"Hopefully, next time we train together, I'll have even more to teach them with a Games under my belt!"

Tom Stoltman is a three-time World's Strongest Man winner, whilst brother, Luke, is a six-time global finalist, and two-time European winner. (Image: Michael Traill.)

Finlay, who has previously excelled in athletics, representing Scotland at the UK School Games, finished fourth at his first major championships within a year of taking up the sport.

Last year, he was named as a joint winner of the East Kilbride Sports Council award, for athletes with a disability, at the Dunfermline and West Fife Sports Council awards for 2024.

He had placed second at the English Championships, won the 'Gym Shark Lift Off', and, competing in the under-54kg category, set a new PB of lifting 150kg - three times his body weight.

Last year, Finlay also competed at his first senior World Championships, and the Stoltman brothers will be cheering him on when he goes for Commonwealth Games glory.

Tom, who claimed a fourth Britain's Strongest Man title this year, said: "We're very proud to have trained with Finlay and wish him all the best.

"He's an incredible athlete and we learned a lot from his technique, his attitude to training, and his attitude to life.

"Para powerlifting will be one of the highlights of the Games and, after meeting Finlay, we know Team Scotland have a rising star who'll be a huge hit with fans!

"You'll be missing out if you're not there to see it."

Finlay Davidson first tried the sport four years ago. (Image: Michael Traill.)

The Commonwealth Games opens on July 23, running to August 2, and features 10 sports alongside a record-breaking para sport programme.

Athletes Owen Miller, Ben Sandilands and Steven Bryce, who train at Pitreavie as part of a group led by coach, Steve Doig, will run in the men's T20 1500 metres in Glasgow.

Dunfermline's Sarah Jane Ewing will attend her third successive Games as a para director for Robert Barr, in para bowls' mixed pairs, in the B2-B3 classification.

Sophie McGrouther, also from the city, will play in the women's singles bowls competition, whilst Rosyth's Niamh Mitchell has been selected in Team Scotland's boxing squad.

For more information on the Games, and for tickets, visit www.glasgow2026.com.