Joe Fraser Aims for Glasgow 2026 After Birmingham's Gold Rush
Birmingham gymnast Joe Fraser is setting his sights on another Commonwealth Games appearance this summer, following his dream performance at the Birmingham 2022 event where he secured a hat-trick of gold medals in his home city.
Reliving the Birmingham 2022 Dream
The 27-year-old athlete, who won gold on the pommel horse, parallel bars, and in the team event, still feels emotional when recalling his experience representing Team England. "It was very special," Fraser said. "With it being in Birmingham, I always wanted to go to that Games and achieve great things to hopefully inspire the city, inspire the next generation and push gymnastics to be a bigger sport than it already is."
He described the atmosphere as "bonkers" and noted it was the most powerful environment he and his teammates have ever experienced. "Everyone was really cheering for us, but all the other nations as well. You don't get that in many cities or at many competitions," Fraser added.
Memorable Moments and Future Hopes
One standout memory for Fraser was when the crowd sang happy birthday to teammate Giarnni Regini-Moran during the vault final. "It was pretty special and it showed us as athletes that it was bigger than just us," he reflected.
Now, Fraser hopes to replicate that electric atmosphere at the upcoming Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Coming off a world bronze medal on the horizontal bar last year, he is eager for another opportunity. "Having done the last Commonwealth Games, it would be so special to go out and do another one. It's not too far away, so hopefully friends and family can go and watch," Fraser said. "It's another opportunity to put out the best gymnastics I've ever done and try and enjoy it."
Balancing Competition and Coaching
Beyond his own athletic pursuits, Fraser is now running his own gymnastics club in Lichfield, which keeps him extremely busy. He has adjusted his schedule to maintain peak performance. "I was working 8.30am to 9pm some days, so I rowed that back a bit," he explained. "But it's unbelievable. They love it. Just seeing how passionate they are about learning something new, it fills me with so much pride. You are part of that journey every step of the way."
As Fraser prepares for Glasgow 2026, he carries the pride of his Birmingham achievements and the hope of inspiring future gymnasts through both his performances and coaching efforts.
