Hamilton twins hoping to compete together at Commonwealth Games

Jan 21 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON wrestling international Donna Robertson is delighted to have qualified for the Delhi Commonwealth Games... but insists it won’t be the same if twin sister Fiona isn’t there with her.

Donna (40) already has a place in the event being held in India this October, having won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Championships in the same country earlier this year.

Fiona is still to qualify, but the pair will head to Austria in February with that target – and if not, she has another opportunity at the British Closed Championships.

The sisters, who live in Little Earnock and work at Hamilton Water Palace, have never taken part in the same Commonwealth Games before, as they had to compete against each other for one place in their previous sport of judo.

Donna fought in the 1990 games in Auckland, New Zealand, while Fiona took part in the Manchester 2002 Games, with both women winning bronze medals.

Having ‘retired’ from judo after several highly successful years, the sisters are now members of the Scottish Freestyle Wrestling Team.

The pair share a flat and a car, and Donna said: “I’m delighted to have qualified for Delhi. It’s still quite early in the run-up so it’s nice to know that I’ve done it.

“But it would mean everything for Fiona to qualify too. We’re always competing against each other for the number one spot and it’s just not the same if we aren’t both involved.

“We’ve always been competitive, but that’s probably why we’ve done so well over the years. I think we push each other on.”

Donna added: “It’s one of the biggest things in a lifetime to take part in a multi-sport event and represent Scotland.

“That means more to me than World or European events and it’s a stepping stone for the Olympics, which is our major goal.”

While Donna would love to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games, they don’t know if sufficient women’s wrestling weight categories will be included.

That’s a thorn in Donna’s side, who feels it’s about time men’s and women’s sports were treated equally.

She said: “We don’t know yet if the 2012 Games are going to have all the weight categories in wrestling or just some of them.

“It’s a shame that women aren’t given the same rights as men, particularly since London allowed women’s boxing.”

Donna and Fiona are grateful for the support of their bosses at Hamilton Water Palace and Donna added: “We would like to express our gratitude; as a minority sport we have to rely on the support of our employer in allowing us time off to compete and train.”