Photographs: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Scotland’s Daniel Wallace delighted the host nation with a sensational victory in the 400 metres individual medley and England claimed their first gold medals in the pool at the Commonwealth Games on Friday.
The 21-year-old Wallace, who trained with multiple Olympic gold medal winner Ryan Lochte during his swimming scholarship at the University of Florida, burst through with 50 metres remaining.
Australia's Thomas Fraser-Holmes took silver with Sebastien Rousseau of South Africa third.
Please click NEXT for more...
CWG PHOTOS: Scotland's Wallace delights home crowd
Image: Daniel Wallace of Scotland celebrates winning the gold medalPhotographs: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
"I have never felt anything like this. I wasn't going to waste this opportunity," said Wallace, who echoed his namesake William Wallace in the film 'Braveheart' and screamed "freedom" after touching first, before smashing the water with both arms in delight.
"The Games really have brought out the Scottish side of me so I thought I’d soak up the moment," he told reporters.
"At 200 metres to go, without a doubt, I had the best breaststroke leg in that field.
"Confidence is key. If I didn't wake up thinking I could do it, it would not be worth it."
Please click NEXT for more...
CWG PHOTOS: Scotland's Wallace delights home crowd
Image: Gold medallist Benjamin Proud, centre, of England poses with silver medallist Roland Schoeman of South Africa and bronze medallist Chad le Clos of South AfricaPhotographs: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
England’s Ben Proud kick-started the session with a surprise victory in the 50 metres butterfly before Chris Walker-Hebborn ensured England enjoyed double success when he won the 100 metres backstroke in a Games record time of 53.12 seconds.
"I am beyond excited. Tears almost came into my eyes," Proud, who beat South African duo Roland Schoeman and Chad Le Clos in a time of 22.93 seconds, told the BBC.
Please click NEXT for more...
CWG PHOTOS: Scotland's Wallace delights home crowd
Image: Thomas Fraser-Holmes of Australia celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men's 200m Freestyle Final at Tollcross International Swimming Centre during day two of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth GamesPhotographs: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Australia also enjoyed a successful night in the pool with Fraser-Holmes beating compatriot Cameron McEvoy in a nip-and-tuck 200 metres freestyle race, while Leiston Pickett successfully defended the 50 metres breaststroke title she won in Delhi four years ago.
Canada’s Katerine Savard broke a Games record in the women's 100 metres butterfly before Australia finished off proceedings with gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay thanks to Tommaso D’Orsogna, Matt Abood, James Magnussen and McEvoy.
Comment
article