Cyrille Tchatchet II: I had to rebuild my life after Glasgow 2014 but I am back for more this summer

After weightlifter Cyrille Tchatchet II last competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he found himself homeless for two months.

Cameroon-born Tchatchet II heads to Glasgow under very different circumstances this year, having been named to represent Team England at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

Tchatchet II moved to the UK after defecting from the Cameroon team at Glasgow 2014, and he spent two months homeless in Brighton before moving to the West Midlands.

“When I came to the UK in 2014, it wasn't a very smooth beginning,” said Tchatchet II, who will compete in the 110kg weight category in Glasgow. 

“I experienced homelessness. I had to rebuild my life away from my family. I had to make new friends. I had to spend a period of time by myself and I experienced loneliness. 

“I think this experience has shaped my personality; it taught me resilience and perseverance.

“I'm pretty happy to be going back to Glasgow, this time with Team England. It's been a long journey. It wasn't easy - I've gone through a lot of difficulties, a lot of setbacks.

“And I'm pretty proud of myself to have persisted.”

The 30-year-old obtained refugee status in 2016 and competed for the Refugee Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Prior to Tokyo, he had trained to be a mental health nurse and, at the Opening Ceremony, Tchatchet II carried the Olympic flag alongside other athletes who had served their countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If I can use an emotion, it was happiness,” said Tchatchet II. “I was pretty proud to have made it to the Olympic Games despite all the challenges and difficulties I went through. Competing at the Olympics was one of my greatest achievements.”

And Tchatchet II’s list of achievements is not short: he is an Olympian, a four-time British champion, and he won gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in 2023.

The weightlifter has come a long way since discovering the sport by chance 16 years ago.

“I started weightlifting about 16 years ago, [when] I was 14,” said Tchatchet II.

“I got into weightlifting by chance because I was taking part in my cousin's baptism and I saw a picture of their father. It was a very captivating picture, and I found that really interesting.

“I told my mum that I wanted to do this sport and that's how I ended up in the gym a couple of days later. I've been addicted to it ever since.”

Tchatchet II’s love for weightlifting is clear - he retired two years ago but changed his mind and started training again as soon as Glasgow was announced as the 2026 host.

Stepping out onto the SEC Armadillo platform in a month’s time will be a special moment for the 30-year-old.

“What I remember from memories is that the Armadillo is a very good venue,” said Tchatchet II. “There were a lot of spectators, and the crowd was very encouraging.

“I'm really looking forward to going back to the Armadillo and this time with Team England.

“My goal is to complete my lifts. To focus on my performance because if I'm able to execute my lifts successfully, I'm pretty sure I will not leave the Armadillo empty-handed.”