Sarah Adlington became the first judoka to win two Commonwealth golds when she claimed victory in the +78kg category at Birmingham 2022, adding to her gold in Glasgow eight years earlier.
Judoka Sarah Adlington is excited to defend her Commonwealth title in a new Team Scotland kilt after a domestic mishap ruined her 2022 outfit.
The 39-year-old became the first judoka to win two Commonwealth golds when she claimed victory in the +78kg category at Birmingham 2022, adding to her gold in Glasgow eight years earlier. Her achievements may well be untouchable, but not everything from the Games lasts forever.
She said: “My Birmingham 2022 kilt was really nice, but I l left it somewhere in my house and it has been eaten by moths. It is no longer wearable as it’s got holes in it. It’s obviously pretty disappointing because it’s such a cool thing to have. I’m actually gutted about it. We’ll see if it can be fixed. Design is definitely not my thing. Hopefully, I will get a new one come summer.”
Adlington had been weighing up her future in the sport ahead of the 2028 Olympic cycle, but after Glasgow replaced the Commonwealth bid from Victoria in Australia, the target of a home Games was irresistible. Now, she looks set to be selected for Team Scotland’s squad for this summer and is training well.
She said: “What a way it would be to end my career at a home Games – I don’t think I can ask for more. That third gold would be the fairytale ending, but really it’s a fairytale without that to finish at a home Games representing Scotland.”
A new Games means a new kilt, with Team Scotland canvassing athletes’ opinions on their new apparel to tweak the designs.
Adlington said: “It was really cool to be able to see designs and the colours, giving ideas of which ones to pick and then to come in and see it in the flesh.
“It looks so good. I saw the pictures of it last week, but it looks even better in person. We got to pick our favourite versions of the tartans and that’s the one that has been made into the outfit for everyone in Team Scotland to wear.
“It’s one kilt that everyone in Scotland gets to wear for the opening and closing ceremony. It’s pretty cool.”
Traditionally, tartan is unique to a Scottish clan or family, though recent research suggests the practice is not as ancient as widely thought. But the ubiquity of the design suggests a team ethos that Adlington has witnessed for over a decade now.
She said: “I probably won’t be in any venues as I am hoping to be competing until the final day. But it’s an amazing buzz and team spirit. Everyone gets behind everyone in Team Scotland, and I think that’s one of the great things about it.”
Follow Team Scotland’s journey at Glasgow 2026 at @team_scotland on Instagram