Team Wales targets record medal haul as 23rd Commonwealth Games approach
Captain Olivia Breen leads a squad aiming to replicate the 36-medal totals achieved in 2014 and 2018, with Olympic champions and defending title holders in key disciplines.
BBC Sport Wales has published a comprehensive review of the nation’s Commonwealth Games history as Team Wales prepares for the 23rd edition of the event in Glasgow. The analysis underscores the squad’s ambition to replicate the record medal haul of 36 achieved in Glasgow in 2014 and matched on the Gold Coast in 2018. The current team is captained by Olivia Breen, who expressed pride in the squad’s efforts to represent the nation and deliver results that honour the country’s sporting tradition.
The squad features a mix of established champions and athletes returning from injury. Olympic relay bronze medallist and world indoor champion Jeremiah Azu spearheads the athletics contingent. He is joined by 1500m runner Jake Heyward, who is making a comeback following Achilles surgery earlier this year, and British bobsleigh Olympian Adele Nicoll, who is competing in the shot put.
In discus, Rosie Eccles is defending her title with a focus on national representation. The 29-year-old stated she has "more fire than ever" and aims to be the first athlete to retain the Commonwealth discus title. She emphasised the significance of hearing the Welsh national anthem, noting that this distinction drives her performance when challenges arise.
Swimming presents another strong prospect for medal success, with Olympic gold medallists Matt Richards and Kieran Bird targeting Commonwealth titles. Richards highlighted the personal importance of hearing the Welsh anthem rather than the British one, a sentiment shared by the broader squad. The swimming team also includes Birmingham silver medallist Medi Harris and world silver medallist Ela Letton-Jones, both of whom are targeting podium finishes.
Boxing remains a traditional stronghold for Welsh success, with Owain Harris-Allan aiming to convert his Birmingham 2022 bronze into gold. The 22-year-old indicated intentions to turn professional if successful, following the path of previous medallists Lauren Price and Joe Cordina. Additionally, Wales will compete in 3x3 wheelchair basketball for the first time, while rhythmic gymnast Ruby Evans looks to build on her World Championship silver and recent British Championships all-around title.
