QWA Masters Championships 2026 – Competition Wrap Up

The 2026 Queensland Weightlifting Masters Championships took us north to Bundaberg for a weekend that delivered on all fronts, big lifts, personal bests, and plenty of moments that reminded us why we love this sport.

Our team showed up ready to perform, and the platform didn’t disappoint.

Richard Taylor led from the front, securing gold with a composed and confident performance. Bonney Douglas followed suit, also claiming gold, showcasing the strength and consistency built through months of training.

It was a weekend of breakthroughs, with several athletes hitting milestone lifts. Helen McLachlan achieved a Clean & Jerk PB, while Christine Angell had an outstanding competition, walking away with silver, a Snatch PB and a Competition Total PB, a true reflection of her progress. Tash Nilsson stepped into a new weight division and rose to the challenge, finishing with a competition PB.

Not to be outdone, Head Coach Fraser Harrison earned the unofficial title of “Most Creative Lifting”, testing some vintage style lifts including the split snatch and split clean!

Beyond the medals and PBs, this trip was about more than just lifting. We made the most of our time in Bundaberg, touring the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery, visiting the surrounding beaches, and soaking up everything the region has to offer.

As always, the weekend was grounded in community with Laura and Helen McLachlan stepping up to ref and TO. From volunteering our time to cheering on athletes across all sessions, it was a reminder that weightlifting is as much about the people as it is the results.

We leave Bundaberg proud, motivated, and already looking ahead to the next competition.