Surprise Aussie medal, but Godwin misses Games podium
Joanna Guelas |
Drawing inspiration from her “idol” and teammate Georgia Godwin, Australian gymnast Breanna Scott has broken through for individual all-around silver at the Commonwealth Games.
All eyes were on defending champion Godwin, but it was Scott who led the charge for Australia as Canadian great Ellie Black won gold at Glasgow International Stadium on Monday morning (AEST).
Black’s 16-year-old teammate Lia-Monica Fontaine followed for bronze, while Godwin settled for fifth after guiding Australia to a team gold the day before.
Scott wins her first individual medal at the Games, having won team silver on debut in Birmingham.
“It’s pretty crazy. I don’t really think it’s sunk in yet,” Scott said.
“There’s been so much that’s happened in the last 24 hours.”
The Sydney local credited Godwin and Black for pushing her to the limit in Glasgow.
“They’re both like such great role models. Georgia is like basically all of our idols in the team,” Scott said.
“We look up to her. She’s just so great to have there.
“She’s the most supportive person like you could have on the team.
“And obviously Ellie, like she’s like an icon of the sport so it was really great to be competing with both of them.”
After a quiet start on the vault and uneven bars, beam specialist Scott surged into medal contention after scoring 13.900 points in her pet event.
Scott was on target to claim gold at the final rotation after her floor routine netted her 12.800 points, but Canada’s Black – the final competitor – did just enough to pip the Sydney product.
The 24-year-old will again take to the balance beam for the individual apparatus final with teammate Kate McDonald.
Stealing the headlines after winning two gold and three silver medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games, Godwin was aiming to become the first gymnast in Games history to successfully defend their individual all-around title.
But the tight turnaround proved too much for the 28-year-old, who readily admitted she was struggling with soreness after the team final in her comeback from an Achilles injury.
Godwin had become the nation’s most decorated women’s gymnast at the Games after winning the team gold, surpassing Allana Slater with nine total medals.
The Queensland product will have another chance to win a medal in Glasgow when she competes in the vault and floor finals.
She trails just Philippe Rizzo (10 medals) and Brennon Dowrick (11) in Australia’s history books.
Scott’s silver medal comes after Australia’s leading male gymnast Jesse Moore ended the nation’s 16-year medal drought by claiming individual all-around bronze.
Reuben Ward won gold and became Scotland’s first-ever all-around champion at the Games, and Canada’s Felix Dolci took silver.
AAP