Canadian Gymnasts Shine at Commonwealth Games
Canadian gymnasts have achieved significant success at the Commonwealth Games, securing multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals. On Monday, Lia-Monica Fontaine, Jordan Carroll, and Félix Dolci each captured gold, contributing to Canada’s total of six medals in gymnastics on that day alone.
Fontaine, a 16-year-old from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., earned a score of 14.000 in the women’s vault final, surpassing England’s Abigail Martin, who scored 13.799, and Wales’ Abigail Roper, who scored 13.433. This gold medal marked Fontaine’s third medal of the Games, following a bronze in the all-around final and a silver as part of the Canadian women’s team event.
Jordan Carroll, a 20-year-old from Saskatoon, claimed the men’s pommel horse title with a score of 15.000. He edged out Scotland’s Reuben Ward, who scored 14.966, and Cameron Lynn, who scored 13.833. Dolci, a 24-year-old from Laval, Que., concluded the day’s gymnastics events by winning gold in the men’s rings final, marking his third medal of the competition.
Dolci’s score of 13.766 in the men’s rings final placed him ahead of fellow Canadian William Émard, who scored 13.600, resulting in a one-two finish for Canada. Australia’s James Hardy secured the bronze with a score of 13.500. Veteran Canadian gymnast Ellie Black of Halifax added a silver medal in the women’s uneven bars. This achievement came one day after she won her second career Commonwealth Games all-around title. René Cournoyer of Repentigny, Que., also earned a silver medal in the men’s floor exercise.
Swimming and Weightlifting Contributions
Beyond gymnastics, Canadian athletes also excelled in swimming and weightlifting. On Sunday, Toronto swimmer Joshua Liendo and Halifax gymnast Ellie Black contributed gold medals to Canada’s overall count. Liendo successfully defended his men’s 100-metre butterfly title, while Black made history by becoming the first individual to win two all-around gymnastics crowns at the Games.
Liendo completed the 100-metre butterfly in a meet record time of 50.42 seconds, narrowly beating Australians Matthew Temple (50.43) and Ben Armbruster (50.58) at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre. The 23-year-old repeated as Commonwealth champion, having previously won gold in 2022 and an Olympic silver medal in the same event at the 2024 Paris Games.
Approximately 90 minutes after his gold medal win, Liendo nearly secured another medal, finishing fourth in the 50-metre freestyle with a time of 21.55 seconds. Australia’s Cameron McEvoy won gold in this event with a time of 20.97, followed by Flynn Southam (21.44) and Jamie Jack (21.47).
In other swimming events, five-time Olympic medalist Kylie Masse earned a silver medal in the women’s 100-metre backstroke. This marked her 10th career Commonwealth Games medal, making her the most decorated Canadian female swimmer at the Games. The 31-year-old from LaSalle, Ont., finished in 58.77 seconds, behind Australia’s Iona Alexandra Anderson, after leading by 0.44 seconds at the halfway point. South Africa’s Olivia Nel secured the bronze medal with a time of 1:00.09.
In weightlifting, Rebeka Groulx of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que., earned a bronze medal in the women’s 53-kilogram event.
Overall Canadian Performance
Ellie Black, at 30 years old, reclaimed the all-around title she first won at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She achieved a winning score of 53.050, surpassing Australia’s Breanna Scott, who scored 52.900. Lia-Monica Fontaine, in her Commonwealth Games debut, secured a bronze medal in the all-around with a score of 52.800.
Félix Dolci also earned a silver medal in the men’s gymnastics all-around final on Sunday, bringing his medal count to two at that point in the competition. Dolci’s score of 79.450 placed him just under two tenths behind gold medalist Reuben Ward of host Scotland at the Glasgow International Arena. Australia’s Jesse Moore took the bronze with a score of 79.000.
Dolci played a key role in leading Canada to a gold medal in the men’s team event on Friday, where he topped the individual standings with a score of 81.650. Canada’s women’s gymnastics team also secured a silver medal in their team event on Saturday. As of Sunday, Canada had accumulated nine medals at the Games, consisting of three gold, three silver, and three bronze.
In wheelchair basketball on Sunday, both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams experienced losses to England, bringing their play records to 1-1. Flag-bearer Kady Dandeneau scored 11 points for the Canadian women’s team, but they lost 15-12 to England. The Canadian men’s team subsequently lost 20-10. Both teams are scheduled to compete against Australia on Monday as the Commonwealth Games continue through August 2.
Source: sportsnet.ca
