Representing Team Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow marked a major milestone for Robert Gordon’s College former pupil Angela McAuslan-Kelly (Class of 2023). Making her debut at her very first Commonwealth Games, the 20-year-old hammer thrower delivered an incredible qualifying performance on home soil to reach the final of the competition, proving her place among the elite. Whilst the Glaswegian weather proved challenging for all the finalists, the commonwealth experience was incredible. 

Angela’s transition to top-tier athletics began relatively recently. Having taken up the hammer throw only four years ago, she entered the sport much later than many of her peers. Yet, her rapid development at Princeton University - where she balances studying comparative politics with competing for the track and field team - has quickly propelled her into the spotlight.

The Commonwealth Stage

Reaching the Commonwealth Games final in Glasgow provided Angela with invaluable experience competing alongside world-class athletes. She highlights the supportive nature of the throwing community as a major highlight of her international career so far:

"I can't say enough nice things about the other throwers. The throwers' community is probably the best part of athletics... The fact that the world champion takes the time to talk to me, means so much."

Her journey to the top has required immense resilience. Overcoming severe pressure at the NCAA regional championships - delivering a clutch fourth-place finish on her final attempt after two initial no-throws - demonstrated the mental toughness required for high-stakes competition. She continues to refine her technique, adapting to a complex toe-turn style to maximize her throw distance.

Next Steps on the International Stage

With her immediate goals focused on becoming an All-American in her senior year at Princeton and qualifying for the European U23 Championships, Angela has identified crossing the 70-metre throwing mark as her crucial next milestone.

"I definitely have the capacity to go 70-plus metres," Angela says. "It's just a matter of time."

Reflecting on her journey from the classrooms of RGC - where she attended as a bursary student - to competing in a Commonwealth final, Angela credits her time at the College for instilling the work ethic that continues to drive her career.

"I really enjoy sports because everything I've done to this point is something that I thought was impossible, but I'm going to try anyway," she adds. "I'm going to see how close I can get."

From Aberdeen to Princeton, from the RGC classroom to the Commonwealth final, Angela McAuslan-Kelly is already showing exactly what can happen when determination meets opportunity - and there is every reason to believe that her story is only just beginning.