A Kingston University medical student, Ellis Kottas, was seen on the world stage on Wednesday, 29 July for the 1500-metre final in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.

The race was marred with controversy: two chairs collided, transforming the competition into a two athlete race.

Speaking to England Athletics, Kottas said: "Emotion is very high. It's an incredible feeling.

"The race was like a domino effect and it was all about survival. I stayed upright and managed to keep going. I thought they'd re-do the race, but my coach said go for it, so I just locked in from that moment.

"I'm part of Weir Archer, founded by the legendary David Weir – a great role model. The club has helped me train and learn drafting."

On the first bend, Mauritian athlete Naome Alphonse moved to the left to avoid Canadian athlete Nandini Sharma, crashing into Australian athlete Eliza Ault-Connell, ending Alphonse's race.

After making contact with the lane divider, Ault-Connell swerved to the right after colliding with the curb. As a result, her chair hit Joanne Robertson's chair and tipped over.

Robertson swerved to the right due to the collision, falling out of her chair in lane 6.

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Ellis Kottas finished fourth in the 1500-metre final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026 (Imagae supplied)

This incident meant that Kottas had to navigate around the chaos, briefly leaving the track and crashing into a wall, then swiftly return to continue the race and pursue the Scottish racers.

Kottas's lightning reactions won her the bronze medal, however due to Sharma's disqualification for obstructing other racers under WPA Rule 18.4, her medal was promoted to silver.

Following disputes from Team Australia and Mauritius, the race was re-ran on Friday, 31 July, where Kottas placed fourth.

On Instagram, Kottas wrote: "Not many people can say they crashed into a wall in their major debut, then came third -> second -> ultimately fourth in a rerun, but it makes a good story!

"Huge shoutout to everyone at Team England who have been so supportive and made this experience super enjoyable.

"Even if I didn't medal, the flag pic deserves a permanent spot on the feed as a goal for the future…"

Speaking to Kottas via WhatsApp, she revealed her thoughts on the Games, and her plans for the future.

She said: "I'm coming off the high of the Commonwealth Games. It certainly didn't go as expected but I've made the best memories and genuinely enjoyed all of it and it's boosted me on to look towards an actual future in wheelchair racing.

"I'm racing at the Stratford Speed event this weekend and will do any other local comps over the next month but that's pretty much it for my season now!"

The Weir Archer Academy is a charity and disability sports club based in Kingston, specialising in wheelchair racing.

It was created in 2013 following the London 2012 Paralympic Games by six-time gold medalist David Weir CBE, known as the Weirwolf of London, and his coach Jenny Archer MBE.

It has grown to become the largest wheelchair racing club in the UK.

More information can be found on its website here.