Andrew Richards

Wales para-bowlers Julie Thomas and Steffan James won bronze in the visually impaired mixed pairs at the Commonwealth Games, with Thomas's guide dog Yoko playing an essential role in enabling her participation. After Thomas had unsuccessfully requested team clothing for Yoko at previous Games, Team Wales chef de mission Gethin Jones arranged a specially made outfit, adapted by volunteer Eirian Thomas with Yoko's name in Braille. Yoko will wear the kit at the closing ceremony, which falls on her birthday.

Four Welsh boxers—Rosie Eccles, Owain Harris-Allan, Orlando Holley-Sotomi and Connor Williams—have guaranteed Commonwealth Games boxing medals in Glasgow and will fight to upgrade them to gold. Holley-Sotomi produced a dramatic quarter-final knockout of Lesotho’s Refiloe Thai, while defending champion Eccles, Harris-Allan and Williams also advanced. Eccles faces India’s Arundhati Choudhary, Harris-Allan meets Sachin Sachin, Holley-Sotomi boxes Mauritius’s Merven Clair and Williams faces Northern Ireland’s Garyn McAllister. Wales won six boxing medals, including two golds, at Birmingham 2022, but the 2026 team is focused on surpassing its previous gold-medal tally.

Matt Richards aims to win his first Commonwealth gold in Glasgow to complete his major medal collection after narrowly missing the podium in 2022. He leads a 21‑strong Wales swimming and para‑swimming team that includes medal hopes Ela Letton‑Jones, rising prospect Theodora Taylor and debutant Tyler Melbourne‑Smith. Athletes express confidence and determination as they prepare to compete from 24 to 29 July at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Rosie Eccles and Daniel Salmon were selected as Team Wales’ flag and baton bearers for the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow. Both athletes, defending Commonwealth champions, expressed surprise and pride at the honour. Eccles, competing in her third and final Games, will carry the flag, while Salmon, aiming for a third gold medal, will serve as baton bearer. Team Wales officials praised the pair as exemplary representatives of the nation.