Gold rush at the Games

The Commonwealth Games reach the halfway stage with the busiest day of gold medal action in prospect.

NEW DEHLI: The Commonwealth Games reached the halfway stage of the competition with the busiest day of gold medal action in prospect.

A total of 42 Games titles were on the line after Australian sprinter Sally Pearson had suffered heartbreak in the women’s 100-metre sprint. Hurdles specialist Pearson won the final, but hours later and after she had even completed a lap of honour, she was disqualified for a false start on a protest by England. She eventually had her medal taken away, elevating Nigeria’s Osayemi Oludamola into first place and Natasha Mayers into second.

Langat triumphs

Kenyan Olympic champion Nancy Langat stormed to the women’s 1,500-metre gold medal in a new Games record time of 4:05.26.

Record gold in cycling

Australia completed their devastating assault on the Commonwealth Games track cycling medal, ending the week with a record-breaking 12 titles out of 14. They managed a Games record in the men’s team sprint despite their lead rider struck down with the notorious “Delhi belly” stomach virus.

Tancock defends title

England’s Liam Tancock successfully defended his 100-metre backstroke title in a new Games record, completing a New Delhi double after his gold in the 50-metre event. New Zealand’s Melissa Ingram broke the Games record to qualify for the women’s 200-metre backstroke final.

Century’s youngest gold medallist

Australia teen Yolane Kukla became the youngest Games swimming gold medallist this century. The 15-year-old won gold in the 50-metre freestyle in a closely-fought race. Kukla’s clocked a time of 24.86 seconds to fend off Halsall’s challenge.

India’s women hit double wrestling gold

Indian’s Alka Tomar took the 59-kilogramme freestyle wrestling title while newly-crowned national star Anita won the freestyle title. India’s gold run in shooting continued with three more titles.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2010.