Alysha Newman of London, Ontario won the gold medal in women’s pole vault at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia on Friday. Newman improved from her bronze medal position in women’s pole vault at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Newman had a vault of 4.75 meters. Eliza McCartney, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist, won the silver medal with a vault of 4.7 meters. Nina Kennedy of Australia won the bronze medal with a vault of 4.6 meters. Kennedy won the bronze medal over Holly Bradshaw of England even though both pole vaulters cleared 4.6 meters. That is because Kennedy was clear up until the 4.65 meter mark, while Bradshaw was not.
The fact that Newman won gold is very significant and could be considered a bit of an upset. That is because McCartney is one of the very best women’s pole vaulters in the world.
Canada won a second gold medal on Friday. Sophie Crane of Toronto, Ontario won gold in the women’s rhythmic gymnastics clubs competition. Crane had a score of 13.95 points to win gold. Sie Yan Koi of Malaysia won silver with a score of 13.85 points. Diamanto Evripidou of Cyprus won the bronze medal with a score of 13.55 points. Crane won a medal by 0.6 points over Kwan Dict Weng of Malaysia, who finished in fourth place with a score of 13.35 points.
Twelve more Canadians earned medals on Friday. Mohammed Ahmed of St. Catharines, Ontario won silver in the men’s 10000m, Brittany Crew of Mississauga, Ontario won bronze in the women’s shot put, Eric Basran of Surrey, British Columbia won bronze in men’s 56 kg boxing, Harley O’Reilly of Gatineau, Quebec won bronze in men’s 81 kg boxing, Sabrina Aubin-Boucher of Montreal, Quebec won bronze in women’s 57kg boxing, Tammara Thibeault of Montreal, Quebec won bronze in women’s 75kg boxing, Francois Imbeau-Dulac of Ottawa, Ontario and Philippe Gagne of Montreal, Quebec won silver in men’s 3m synchronized springboard diving, Ryan Bester of Hanover, Ontario won silver in men’s lawn bowling, Danielle Lappage of Olds, Alberta won bronze in women’s 68 kg wrestling, Emily Schaefer of Sarnia, Ontario won bronze in women’s 57 kg wrestling and Jordan Steen of Ottawa, Ontario won bronze in men’s 97kg wrestling.
Canada is third in the overall medal standings with 74 medals. Australia leads with 168 medals and England is second with 99 medals.
