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Sarah Davies is not your typical weightlifter.
All athletes plateau eventually.
Most never return to the heights of their
early years in the sport.
Sarah competed for over a decade before she won the European Weightlifting Championships in 2025.
It was her 28th international meet.
In Batumi, a few months ago, she won the title again (with a 16th-place finish at Worlds in between).
Sarah has served on IWF boards.
She's been sanctioned by her own Federation.
The common denominator: Stubbornness.
Weightlifting House
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Sarah Davies
Weightlifting House sat down with Sarah just ahead of the XXIII Commonwealth Games, where she'll represent Team GB for the fourth time.
Portions of this interview have been edited.
Weightlifting House (WH): How did it feel to win Europeans back-to-back?
Sarah Davies (SD): "I feel like I got unlucky for a few years competing in one of the hardest classes at Europeans, so to become back-to-back Champion was very special.
I was actually disappointed in my performance, though. I was in much better shape going into it than what I lifted on the day. We're going back to the drawing board to make sure that doesn't happen at Worlds."
WH: How are you hitting new milestones so late into your career?
SD: "The main thing is I'm stubborn! I think the landscape of weightlifting has changed significantly over my career, and I'm thankful to have seen that evolution and stuck it out.
I also know myself better. I actually discovered being a full-time athlete wasn't helpful. Having work that isn't weightlifting-related is much better for my mental state."
WH: You're a clean & jerk specialist. Does that affect your approach to training?
SD: "I actually wouldn't say I'm a specialist. I'm trying to rewrite that narrative. I recently snatched 103 at the British Champs. That weight would've won a medal at Worlds last year.
I would say I'm a 'mental game' specialist. I recently asked myself; if we had to snatch after clean & jerking, rather than before, would I perform better, because of the pressure of having to make a total with my snatch?
I'm asking myself a lot of questions like this right now. I'm excited to see what comes of it."
WH: How do you view the IWF Athletes' Commission since your departure?
SD: "I think the AC has lost a lot of its momentum. Unfortunately, it feels like it's not being led with the transparency I'd have liked to see.
The Commission has the potential to make a big impact and create a lot of change within the sport, and the wider landscape of weightlifting, that just hasn't been utilized."
WH: Weightlifting isn't as competitive at the Commonwealth Games as Europeans or Worlds. What's the allure?
SD: "You might not see the big numbers, but I think the competition itself will be quite good. It's an opportunity for Commonwealth countries to win international medals in a clean setting. Plus, I always watched it growing up, so it's a childhood dream made real."
WH: What are your thoughts on the LA28 qualification procedure compared to previous Olympics?
SD: "I'm fairly happy. You're never going to please everyone. The inability to change weight classes is tough for those who sit in between, but I think requiring multiple totals will culminate in a better event once we get to LA."
WH: What does the world underestimate about Team GB?
SD: "We have a highly experienced coaching staff with whom the athletes maintain great relations. From my point of view, the trust between the coaches and athletes is incredible. I know, in competition, they'll make the right calls.
Within the team itself, we have a nice mix of experienced lifters who serve as mentors to the younger ones, who bring the energy and enthusiasm.
You eventually get used to being a competitive weightlifter, seeing the big names in real life, etc. You almost become numb to it. The excitement on the younger athletes' faces reminds me how fortunate I am to still be on this journey."
