Best of Commonwealth Games GC2018: Day 5

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Best of GC2018: Day 5

GC2018

9 Apr 2018

The record-breaking, history-making moments continued on a medal-filled day of competition at GC2018, with 33 gold medals awarded.

In the pool, Australia continued its Swimming domination and on the track, eight champions were crowned, including Trinidad and Tobago’s first gold medal since 1998. Vanuatu and the Cook Islands won their first-ever Commonwealth Games medals, courtesy of their talented athletes in Athletics and Lawn Bowls.

These are just a few of the highlights of Day Five.

Sport Snapshot

Champions crowned, history made at Carrara Stadium

Winning the women’s 100m final, Michelle-Lee Ahye became the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago to win 100m Commonwealth Games gold and the nation’s first gold medallist since Ato Bolden won the men’s 100m race in 1998.

In the men’s 100m final, Akani Simbine won gold in a time of 10:03 seconds. It marks the first time in 20 years that an athlete from a Caribbean country has not held the title of the Commonwealth’s fastest man. Henricho Bruintjies, also from South Africa, won silver, followed by Yohan Blake to take the bronze.

New Zealand’s Tom Walsh added Commonwealth champion to his world indoor and outdoor titles, winning gold in 21.41m. Walsh couldn’t quite match his 22.45m throw from the qualification round, but got the job done.

Australia’s Evan O’Hanlon won gold in the men’s T38 100m final in 11.09, spectacularly falling after he crossed the finish line. “I think I overstepped my ability a little bit there and ended up on the ground,” he said.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine wins gold as he crosses the line ahead of silver medallist and teammate Henricho Bruintjies

Cook Islands bowls into the record books

The Cook Islands won its first medal in Commonwealth Games history when Aidan Zittersteijn and Taiki Paniani won bronze in the Lawn Bowls men’s pairs competition.

All it took, according to Zittersteijn, was a little mojo. “We started off good then we really got our rhythm – we call it mojo – and we were set. We played well,” he said.

In other Lawn Bowls news, Australia broke their 12-year gold medal droughtand won the women’s fours with a 18-16 victory against South Africa.

Silver medallists Paul Foster and Alexander Marshall of Scotland, gold medallists Daniel Salmon and Marc Wyatt of Wales and bronze medallists Aidan Zittersteijn and Taiki Paniani of the Cook Islands pose during the medal ceremony for the Mens Pairs — *Scotland, Wales and the Cook Islands on the podium during the medal ceremony for the men’s pairs*

Weightlifting wraps up in dramatic fashion

The weightlifting drama continued to unfold all the way through to the final day of competition.

New Zealand’s Laurel Hubbard was the favourite heading into the women’s +90kg competition, but had to withdraw when she injured her arm on the final snatch. Despite her disappointment, Hubbard said she had “no regrets” about her time at the Games.

18-year-old Eileen Cikamatana won gold for Fiji in the women’s 90kg category and in the women’s +90kg. Samoa’s Sanele Mao lifted a personal best total of 360kg to win gold over the Indian favourite Pardeep Singh in the men’s 105kg class and New Zealand’s David Liti won gold in the men’s +105kg class

Fiji's Eileen Cikamatana shows her emotions after winning the gold medal for the women's 90kg Weightlifting — *Fiji’s Eileen Cikamatana shows her emotions after winning the gold medal for the women’s 90kg Weightlifting*

The Australian swim team’s golden night

It was an incredible night for the Aussies in the pool, winning four of the nine gold medals up for grabs and 15 of the total 27. Mitch Larkin became the first backstroker to complete the 50/100/200m treble when he won the 200m backstroke final. Australians Bradley Woodward and Josh Beaver won silver and bronze for a clean sweep of the medals.

Silver medalist Bradley Woodward of Australia, gold medalist Mitch Larkin of Australia and bronze medalist Josh Beaver of Australia pose during the medal ceremony for the men 200m backstroke final — *Silver medallist Bradley Woodward, gold medallist Mitch Larkin of Australia and bronze medallist Josh Beaver achieve a clean sweep of the medals in the 200m backstroke*

In the 800m final, breakout star of the Australian trials, Ariarne Titmus, got her first individual gold in the 800m. Australia also swept the medals, with Jessica Ashwood taking silver and Kiah Melverton takes bronze.

After finishing second to sister Cate in the 50m freestyle on Saturday night, Bronte Campbell joked to Channel 7 that it would be nice if the roles were reversed occasionally. Tonight, it happened! Bronte Campbell out-touched her sister Cate for gold in the 100m, with Cate winning silver and 17-year-old Taylor Ruck winning her seventh medal of the Games. Ruck has won a medal in every event she has competed in so far, with the Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Relay still to come.

Bronte Campbell celebrates her win — *Bronte Campbell celebrates her 100m freestyle win*

Adding to the golden night, Matthew Levy won the men’s S7 50m freestyle final.

Also in the pool, England’s Ben Proud broke his own Commonwealth Games record – again – in the semifinal of the men’s 50m freestyle. The new Games record is 21.30 and he’ll have a chance to lower it in the final on Tuesday 10 April.

South Africa’s Chad le Clos completed his own clean sweep of the men’s butterfly events, overtaking Australia’s Susie O’Neill and becoming the most decorated athlete in Commonwealth Games history.

Comeback queen Joelle King wins Squash gold

New Zealand’s Joelle King won New Zealand’s first individual Squash gold medal. After beating eight-time world champion Nicol David to earn a place in the gold medal match, she defeated England’s Sarah-Jane Perry 3-2 to secure the title.

Silver medallist Sarah-Jane Perry, gold medallist Joelle King and bronze medallist Tesni Evans pose during the medal ceremony — *Silver medallist Sarah-Jane Perry, gold medallist Joelle King and bronze medallist Tesni Evans.*

Friana Kwevira launches Vanuatu into the history books

Vanuatu’s Friana Kwevira won bronze in the women’s F46 javelin throw, securing her country’s first ever Commonwealth Games medal. The 24-year-old’s effort means Vanuatu joined the Cook Islands and Solomon Islands in winning their maiden Games medals at GC2018.

Silver medalist Holly Robinson of New Zealand, gold medalist Hollie Arnold of Wales and bronze medalist Friana Kwevira of Vanuatua pose during the medal ceremony for the Womens F46 Javelin — *F46 javelin silver medallist Holly Robinson, gold medallist Hollie Arnold of Wales and bronze medallist Friana Kwevira*

Photos of the Day

Ghana players huddle during Hockey on day five of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Hockey Centre — *Team Ghana huddles at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre*

Australia's Evan O'Hanlon dives over the line at Carrara Stadium — *Evan O’Hanlon falls after winning gold in the men’s T38 100m*

Alice Kinsella of England competes in the Women's Balance Beam Final during Gymnastics — *Alice Kinsella of England competes in the women’s Gymnastics Balance Beam final*

Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago is photographed after winning gold in the women's 100m — *Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago is photographed after winning gold in the women’s 100m*

A performer performs on stage for Sparkle in the Sand — *Sparkle in the Sand at Surfers Paradise*

What You Might Have Missed

Lawn Bowls legend turns Games Shaper

When the Australian women’s fours won their long-awaited gold, they had an extra special witness. The only other fours team to have won gold for Australia was the 1990 Auckland Games team. Incredibly, one of those players, Daphne Shaw, was working as a volunteer at Broadbeach Bowls Club and witnessed her team’s achievements being matched. Serendipitous, indeed!

Spectators watch Lawn Bowls at Broadbeach Bowls Club

The Titmus family celebration

The family of 18-year-old swimmer Ariarne Titmus have brought on all the feels during GC2018 Swimming. Her dad made headlines when Ariarne – also known as ‘the Terminator’ – won silver in the women’s 200m final. She got her gold medal in the women’s 800m, dedicating the win to her grandparents. The celebrations of her parents and grandparents captivated the hearts of the Commonwealth. “That’s for my nan and pa,” Titmus said. “They’re my mum’s parents. They came from Budapest and they’re so excited to be here and it’s great to have them watching.”

Ariarne Titmus and Jessica Ashwood of Australia celebrate following the Women's 800m Freestyle Final on day five — *Ariarne Titmus embraces Jessica Ashwood after winning the women’s 800m final at Optus Aquatic Centre*

Quotes of the Day

We have our meals together, we are in the same apartment, so there is a bit of trash talk. Matches like this bring the best out in each other.”

– Canada’s Samantha Cornett on rival and fellow Canadian Nikki Todd, her roommate and opponent in the classic plate women’s Squash final.

With food. I’ve been looking at the brownies all week, so probably that”

– English Artistic Gymnast Alice Kinsella on how she’s going to celebrate after winning gold in the balance beam.

I have one shot of espresso before every race. That is definitely a lot of my energy, and definitely the energy in here buzzes me up a little bit”

– Canadian swimmer Taylor Ruck on where she’s getting her energy on, winning a medal in all seven events she has competed in so far.