A thrilling penultimate day at Birmingham 2022 has delivered more action to this thoroughly entertaining Commonwealth Games, with 45 gold medals in total set to be dished out by the end of the evening.
Tonight was all about Laura Muir, and the Scotland star produced a brilliant kick to win gold in the women’s 1500m final, adding to her 800m bronze from the previous evening. Later, a wide-open men’s 800m final, was won by Kenya’s Wyclife Kinyamal ahead of Australia’s Peter Bol, with England’s Ben Pattison taking bronze.
Eilish McColgan added to her 10,000m gold with a gutsy silver in the 5,000m and there was further joy as England’s women wrapped up the action at the Alexander Stadium with a dramatic gold in the 4x400m final. It was short lived, however, after the team was disqualified following a lane infringment.
In the afternoon, a dramatic men’s cycling road race saw Geraint Thomas fall just short with a late push to break the lead group, leaving New Zealand’s Aaron Gate to sprint clear and win a fourth gold at these Games. And in the result of the day, England pulled off a shock to stun Australia and win Commonwealth gold in the women’s hockey final. Follow all the action throughout the evening below:
And that concludes our live coverage of tonight’s action at the Commonwealth Games. England had a brilliant evening on the opening day of diving with Jack Laugher and Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix both taking gold.
It means England finish the day on 116 medals and with 42 golds, so they are closing the gap on leaders Australia. We’ll be back tomorrow with more diving and athletics on day eight of the Commonwealth Games.
Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 21:57
Commonwealth Games: 110m finals
Jamaica’s Rasheed Broadwell wins gold in the men’s 110m hurdles! He equals the Games record in 13.08 secs.
But England’s Andrew Pozzi takes a brilliant bronze as he dives for the line to make the podium!
He needed to, as well, it was so close between him and teammate Josh Zeller - but what a race!
He reacts to the BBC: “I’m really happy. It’s been such a tough season. That was all heart. The crowd gives us so much energy, that would not have happened in another stadium.”
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 21:49
Gold for Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in 10m platform final!
Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix after winning the 10m platform gold: “I think it’s important you don’t put pressure on yourself in the final, but after Lois had done an incredible dive I was shaking at the back of the board. I was pumped and ready to go but I’m happy with how it went, it’s crazy!
“Yeah, this is [just the beginning]. In Budapest [at the world championships] I had a disappointing performance but it was the kick I needed and thanks to Alex [my coach] because he believed in me. He said let’s get ready for the Commonwealths and that was the result!”
(Getty Images)
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Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 21:24
Commonwealth Games: Cricket
England have soundly beaten New Zealand in their final T20 group stage match at Edgbaston.
After bowling New Zealand out for 71 in an outstanding performance in the field, England quickly completed the chase of 72 to make it three wins from three at the Commonwealth Games.
Nat Sciver’s team will now play India in the semi-finals on Saturday. India finished second to Australia in group A.
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Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 21:03
Bronze for Sammi Kinghorn in wheelchair 1500m
Sammi Kinghorn, after winning bronze and an improvement on her two previous Commonwealth Games appearances. “I came fifth in Glasgow as a 15-year-old, I was fourth in Gold Coast. The 1500m is not my event. I was just trying to recover as much as I could. I tried to kick, but a medal for Scotland! That is a dream come true.
“I said to my coach, I’m just going to throw everything at it. That’s what I want. Winning bronze knowing I fought means everything to me.”
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Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 20:41
Bronze for Sammi Kinghorn in wheelchair 1500m
Scotland’s Sammi Kinghorn takes bronze in the wheelchair 1500m! She really pushed the gold medal winner, Australia’s marathon winner Madison de Rozario, while Angela Ballard, also of Australia, wins silver.
From last summer, this is Kinghorn’s remarkable story - as told by Tom Harle.
The 25-year-old grew up on a farm near Gordon, in the Scottish Borders, and has now prevailed following a childhood accident to seize glory in the 100m T53 at Tokyo 2020
Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 20:38
Gold for Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in 10m platform final!
It’s another gold for England in the diving, this time for Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix in the women’s 10m platform final!
What a brilliant performance from the 17-year-old, with Lois Toulson taking silver and making it an England one-two.
Spendolini-Sirieix, who competed for Team GB in the Tokyo Olympics, is the daughter of First Dates host Fred Sirieix.
And Toulson mas made it an even more special evening for her boyfriend Jack Laugher, who won gold in the 1m springboard earlier!
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Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 20:33
Zoe Newson wins para powerlifting gold as Nigerian duo are disqualified for arriving late
Nigeria’s perfect para powerlifting Commonwealth Games record was ended when two of their athletes were disqualified for turning up late for an event won by England’s Zoe Newson.
Tokyo Paralympic champion Latifat Tijani and Onyinyechi Mark were among the favourites to win women’s lightweight gold at Birmingham 2022.
The pair were disqualified after arriving 25 minutes late for the appointed kit check time, although the Nigeria Commonwealth Games Federation protested against the decision in saying they were unaware of the time agreed at a technical meeting in August.
A Birmingham 2022 statement read: “Two athletes from the Nigeria team were disqualified due to non compliance to Technical Rules 17.1.4 ‘athletes does not present out to the kit check in the scheduled time and/or with a form of identification, they will be disqualified (DSQ)’.
“The two athletes were present at 2.10pm, 25 minutes late from the scheduled kit check time 1.45pm.”
Paralympic champion Latifat Tijani and Onyinyechi Mark were among the favourites to win the women’s lightweight final at Birmingham 2022
Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 19:59
The first rider off the ramp in the men’s time trial at the Commonwealth Games was a 48-year-old riding for Ghana who spends his working days as a doorkeeper at the House of Commons.
Chris Symonds was disappointed with his time of 62 minutes 56.79 seconds over the 37.4km course around Wolverhampton – 16-and-a-half minutes slower than winner Rohan Dennis – insisting it was some way off the sort of pace he has ridden in recent club time trials.
His preparation for these Games has been built around commuting 12 miles each way from north London to the Palace of Westminster every day on a regular bike.
“I’ve been a doorkeeper for 20 years, since Gordon Brown and David Cameron were Prime Minister,” Symonds said. “We keep the doors to the chamber, to make sure people like you don’t get in.”
“I’ve barred entry to a few famous people, but I’d better not say who.”
The 48-year-old, representing Ghana, has been a doorkeeper at the House of Commons for 20 years
Jamie Braidwood4 August 2022 19:45
Jack Laugher wins 1m springboard gold to retain his Commonwealth Games crown
Gold medal winner Jack Laugher, alongside teammate Jordan Houlden, speaking to the BBC after the 1m springboard: “What Jordan has done today is really special. First Commonwealth Games, in front of a home crowd, it’s a lot of pressure. He’s come out and pushed me all the way. He’s done himself proud and it’s great having someone alongside me. I couldn’t think of a better person for it.
“This morning is proof that things can go wrong. I came into it not in the right frame of mind and a little bit scared but today I did my normal thing and it worked out. Today is my lowest score of the three Commonwealths. I’m still doing really well and I like being pushed all the way. What separates the best from the best is the mental aspect of it. I’ve struggled with it over the years but I feel I’ve overcome a lot. Performances like today make it special.”
Houlden: “I’m speechless really. Coming to my first Commonwealth Games and winning a medal, a bronze medal. I can’t believe it. There’s still things I need to work on. I was a bit over-excited at times.”
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