Understand
Sunderland student Caitlin Baxter wins gold at Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships
Overview
Caitlin Baxter, a University of Sunderland student and clinical pharmacy postgraduate from Newcastle upon Tyne, won gold in the Open 57kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Winnipeg, Canada. Competing for England, she secured gold medals in the squat and bench press—setting a new Open Commonwealth record with a 113.5kg bench press—and a bronze in the deadlift with a personal best of 177.5kg.
Key points
- Caitlin Baxter won first overall in the Open 57kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships.
- She took gold in both the squat and bench press, and bronze in the deadlift.
- Baxter set a new Open Commonwealth record in the 57kg category with a 113.5kg bench press.
- She achieved a personal best and a regional benchmark with a 177.5kg deadlift.
- Her performance helped the Women's Open English Team finish second overall in the competition.