Co Antrim weightlifter explains unique journey to Commonwealth Games

From captaining Ulster Schools at hockey to representing Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham at weightlifting, it has been a unique sporting journey for Caroline Doyle.

The 29-year-old’s hockey career was ended by injury, with Doyle then taking up CrossFit before discovering weightlifting.

The Ballymena native will compete in the 64kg class in Birmingham and hockey’s loss has been weightlifting's gain.

Hannah Crymble and Caroline Doyle chasing weightlifting glory

“Growing up I started playing hockey from when I was five and competitively from aged 11 through to the age of 17,” explained Doyle

“I played for my school Ballymena Academy and my club Ballymena, then I got the opportunity to play for Ulster Schools who I captained prior to tearing my meniscus.

“I actually can’t think of an exact time when it happened, but it would have been playing hockey, and with the nature of the sport constantly changing different directions it was maybe one individual moment or just the general wear and tear of the sport.

“I got keyhole surgery to repair it and tried to go back to hockey but with the nature of running I was unable to keep it up competitively, so I had to find the next best thing.”

After hockey Doyle was looking for a new sport to compete in.

“I found weightlifting through CrossFit," she explained.

"I have always competed in team sports growing up, so weightlifting was an opportunity for me to step outside my comfort zone and do something as an individual.

“I entered a competition and won it and you think how far can I take this and here we are at Commonwealth Games qualification so it has been a good run.

“My first weightlifting competition was in August 2019.”

Doyle adapted