Diver Jack Laugher successfully defends his 1m springboard title while boxers Rosie Eccles and Sandy Ryan set up a Wales versus England gold-medal showdown in the ring. It’s all the latest from day seven of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
Jack Laugher held his nerve to claim the first of a possible three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The Olympic champion has been watching fellow Rio stars find that gold is far from guaranteed at these Games but insists he felt no extra pressure to deliver as he started his campaign with a confident victory in diving’s 1m springboard.
Laugher seized control of the final, leading from first dive to last as Australia’s James Connor took silver ahead of James Heatly, the first Scot to win a Commonwealth diving medal since grandfather Peter, who passed away in 2015.
“I’ve been struggling with injuries all year and it’s been a terrible time,” admitted Laugher, who will also contest the 3m springboard and 3m synchro.
“I’ve only had a couple of weeks training leading into it and defending a title is tough, so I’m really proud.
“It means so much to win for England. I don’t feel a responsibility to win, I’m not responsible for winning every time, I just need to put the effort, time, focus and dedication in to try and get the medals.
“The Commonwealth Games mean a lot to me, I’ve watched them since I was kid and they’ve always been a huge highlight in my four-year cycle. It was difficult to come out here as defending champion but I trusted myself and felt strong and confident.”
Heatly, who won gold, silver and bronze at the European Games in Baku in 2015, was clearly emotional after ending Scotland’s 60-year wait for a diving medal.
"It means everything as obviously my grandfather was a diver so to bring another medal back and to be the first Scottish diver to do it since him is incredible,” said Heatly. “I can't ask for much more.
“I’m overwhelmed and I’m so happy. This is the first Games that he's not been involved with because of his passing.”
Lois Toulson and Robyn Birch placed fifth in the 10m platform synchro while click here to read about the silver won earlier in the day by Alicia Blagg and Katherine Torrance in the 3m springboard.
Wales Rosie Eccles and England’s Sandy Ryan will face off in the ring for gold on Saturday after both booked their place in the light middleweight final.
Ryan, 24, won a split points decision over Canada’s Marie-Jeanne Parent in the semi-finals at Oxenford Studios while Eccles defeated home favourite Kaye Scott in the first semi-final.
“I just thought I was in control, I didn’t feel like I’d gone into my higher gear that I've got because I just wanted to relax and enjoy myself,” said Ryan.
“If it did go the other way I would’ve kicked myself for not putting it on her a bit more, but it is what it is.
“I wouldn’t have minded anyone but it would've been nice with England vs Australia. But fair play to Rosie and I'm sure we're going to have a good fight.
"I know quite a lot about her, we've sparred together.”
Eccles added: “Honestly, before I came out I said my dream is me and Sandy in the final. There's no better way to win than against someone who's a good girl and a good challenge. We're going for gold on the 14th and I'm ecstatic."
The home nations have now guaranteed 22 medals in the ring. In 2010 they delivered 16, while at Glasgow 2014 the figure was 25.
Dina Asher-Smith is confident there is plenty more to come from her in the 200m final after she eased through her semi-final.
Asher-Smith, European champion two years ago, was an impressive qualifier, taking second place in the first of three semi-finals following a battle with Shericka Jackson.
The Jamaican required a personal best 22.28s to beat the Olympic finalist, who clocked 22.48 two qualify as the second fastest athlete for the final. She is also joined by English teammate Bianca Williams.
“I was running well,” Asher-Smith commented. “Obviously you want to go and win a semi-final and put down a good time, but I eased off.
“It’s easy to get into a battle, but I had this thought in the back of my mind that it’s only a semi-final.
“I want to come out here and do well, and also see the other girls do well – we’re a team. I’m looking forward to the final – I’ve qualified with a decent time and I didn’t feel too bad doing it, so I’ll take that.”
England’s Zharnel Hughes and Northern Ireland’s Leon Reid likewise reached the final of the men’s 200m.
England’s female long jumpers also impressed with Shara Proctor leading from the front, recording 6.89m with her first attempt.
That was her furthest jump since 2016 and saw her qualify as the best atlete, with Jazmin Sawyers and Lorraine Ugen also progressing having placed fifth and eight respectively in qualification.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Rosie Clarke placed fourth in the 3000m steeplechase won by Jamaica’s Aisha Praught with England teammate Iona Lake and Scotland’s Lennie Waite eighth and tenth.
Dan Bramble was fifth in the long jump while Allan Smith was the best performing Brit in the high jump final, clearing a season’s best 2.27m in fifth after Olympic bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz had three failed clearances at 2.21m and placed 12th.
Shooter David McMath secured an historic gold medal for Scotland in the double trap
The Isle of Man picked up their first medal of the Games with Tim Kneale securing silver behind McMath.
England netballers continued to impress, recording their biggest victory over New Zealand to set up a semi-final against Glasgow 2014 bronze medallists Jamaica
England’s Jake Sheaf and Chris Gregory will play for beach volleyball bronze after losing their semi-final to hosts Australia.
Click here to read more
Defending mixed doubles champions Chris and Gabby Adcock move into the last 16 of the badminton with a 21-10 21-16 victory over Canada’s Brian Yang and Michelle Li.
There was drama at the hockey as England turned in one of their best performances but still ended up on the losing side.
In a thrilling clash with India they conceded twice in the last two minutes, going down 4-3 in a match that decided the semi-final lineup, with the result meaning they will take on hosts Australia.
In netball, Wales rounded off a winless campaign with a 68-53 defeat to Malawi while their rhythmic gymnasts placed fifth in the team event, one place above England.
A number of gymnasts also qualified for individual events, including Wales’ Laura Halford making the hoop, ball, ribbon and all-around finals.
Jack Laugher is back for another shot at medal glory, with 10:07 the time he dives in the men’s 3m springboard – looking to complete a Gold Coast double-header.
Double Olympian Jen McIntosh knows what it takes to win Commonwealth shooting medals, the Scot looking to secure her sixth in the women’s 50m rifle prone at 05:00.
The Scottish medal hunt continues onto the track where multiple medallist Eilidh Doyle is in 400m hurdles action at 10:30, with England’s Dina Asher-Smith looking for glory in the 200m at 12:38.
Jade Lally is also one to watch in the discus as are Shara Proctor, Jazmin Sawyers and Lorraine Ugen, the trio representing England in the long jump.
And there are further medals available in the mountain bike cross-country races, lawn bowls , shooting, rhythmic gymnastics and wrestling. Sportsbeat 2018