– Day 4 quotes from this morning and afternoon
After a 2-2 draw against Pakistan in the men’s hockey pool B, Team England’s Chris Griffiths (Maidenhead) said
“We knew it was going to be a tough game, we don’t expect to go down but we’ve got clear plans if we do go down to come from even two, three goals down, so there’s no panic, just stick to our game.
“It was hot, but we’ve been out here for nearly two weeks now so we’re kind of used to it. If people complain about the heat, it’s not really an excuse.
“Disappointed with the result overall, probably more disappointed with how we played, we kind of got brought into playing their game, a bit of counter attack, a bit end-to-end, but thats not how we wanted to play. We didn’t use our pass like we wanted to and we got caught dribbling a bit too much and some unnecessary turnovers, so more disappointment with how we played and not really the result in the end.
“Every player’s going to question an umpire’s decision, but that’s the call they made so we’ve got to stick to what he’s done and not use that as an excuse. We’ve got strategies if we go a player down, no matter what so we were too worried about the umpire’s decisions today.”
No medal for Team England in the Men’s Floor final as Max Whitlock (Essex) comes in 5th position. He said:
“I’ve had a brilliant experience in the team competition with those boys, I thoroughly enjoyed that. And today, floor is just one of those things in sport, you can’t have a perfect competition every time and hopefully I’m going to learn so much from this competition because when you do amazingly in a perfect competition you just go with the flow and you don’t learn much but this time hopefully I’m going to learn a lot. It might what I needed, to really push me and to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“All I think about in a competition is my routine, to perform the best routine I can do, and I’ve done that, it was clean, but it is what it is.”
Molly Kingsbury, from Poole, finished sixth in the Women’s T38 long jump and said:
“I got a season’s best which is great as last year I didn’t have a very good year with injuries and just not believing in myself. I got 3.70 at the World Juniors in Switzerland last year and now I’ve come to the Commonwealth Games and have really enjoyed the experience. I still feel tiny amongst the seniors – they’re amazing and I’m only 16! But I’ve loved every second of it.
“I’ve got European’s up next. I’ll have a few minor competitions in between to just help get the feel and to know how I’m doing. I’ve got to do a bit more training and knuckle down, but I’ve got 8 more days out here in Australia to just chill.”
After her admirable performance in the women’s skeet shooting, claiming silver, Windsor’s Amber Hill said:
“It’s really tough competition but they kept me on my toes and I’m really happy to come away with a silver, I’m really happy.
“I think that’s the thing about this final, it is quite a long final and you have to keep digging deep, and that’s what my coach told me last night, without my coach and my family and without everyone’s help and support from Team England I wouldn’t be getting medals like this.
“It’s not over until the final shot so I’m going to keep going but it’s been a great day and a tough competition for me.
(On having support in the crowd) “It makes such the difference, though because I absolutely love having the crowd behind me and cheering and getting behind us as athletes because we do all of this hard work so it’s nice when people come and support us.
“It’s always good knowing you’ve banked a medal, but then it’s when the real grind starts as to which colour it’s going to be and I gave it absolutely everything I could to go and go for that gold but like I said there’s some great competition and the girls from Cyprus did amazing.
“I just want to show a different side to shooting, I want to put my own personality on that and whether that’s pink cartridges at home, sprayed guns, it’s trying to appeal to a younger audience and encourage people to try new sports which maybe they haven’t, whether it’s shooting or any other of the Commonwealth sports. Sport can change many people’s lives and it certainly has mine.
“I think the funding I’ve received has been massive to get me to where I am today just because without the funding, it is an expensive sport to get me through the training sessions and travel round the world, I really couldn’t do that, so it’s a massive thanks that they see some talent in me!
“My greatest supporter has got to be my granddad, Bill Rodgers, at home and he’s the one that got me into the sport. I know that he is up and it’s like 4am at home and he’s been watching it on his iPad, he’s no good with technology! It’s amazing that I have such a great family that support me and a great team around me.”
Asha Philip, from London, progressed through her 100m semi-final today, and said:
“I feel good to say they are my first 100m races of the season. I’m in the final and that’s what I wanted. I can go back and relax now knowing I’ve got the first part of the job done.
“I’m tired now after two rounds in one day. But I’m so confident moving into the final so I’m excited to get back on the track.”
Corinne Humphreys, from London, finished fifth in the 100m semi-final, narrowly missing out on the final. She said:
“I thought I could feel something when I was in the blocks, I wasn’t sure if it was my hamstring or just nerves. But I just ran it as well as I could do. I felt like I had more to give but I am happy with my progression at my first major Games.
“I will have learned a lot from this. There were major medallists in my race so to line-up alongside them and learn how to race against them has been a fantastic experience and one I will take with me over the coming years.”
It was an excellent performance from Edmon Avetisyan, who finished 4thin the Men’s 94Kg Final, he said:
“Finishing 4that my first commonwealth games, PB total for me, there is nothing else I could ask for really. Beat my PB by about 5 Kg.
“I got into weightlifting by going to the gym, I tried it, enjoyed it and was pretty good at it so I decided to do the training.
“It’s my first Commonwealth Games and it’s been excellent, just coming out here is just a big pleasure, it means a lot. To prepare for the games I spent a lot of time training by myself and also for the past eight weeks I asked one of the GB coaches to coach me and my performances improved massively.
“Both my first opener and second lift were good and the last one just slipped off my shoulder, 195 Kilos on you it’s heavy. I knew I needed a little more of boost, so I wanted a little extra support from the crowd and it did help.”
After a sensational one-two finish in the men’s rings, with Courtney Tulloch claiming and gold and Nile Wilson clinching silver, the pair said:
Wilson said: “Very happy to get the silver medal, exhausted today and just pushing through, it’s just amazing to be out on that stage doing the sport that I love, and very, very pleased to get silver, and to Courtney, he’s a massive inspiration, to be stood next to him pushing his tail is amazing.
(On injured hand) “Yeah it’s all good, just the rest of my body is in bits, but one more day and two more routines, so excited to get back out there.
“Just doing a clean parallel bar routine and clean horizontal bar routine, I’m sure I’ll start by using my execution on putting together some of the routines I have done this week and there’s no reason why I can’t make history this week.
“Max is an amazing role model for me, he’s one of the best we all look up to him. Today he made a few mistakes but he’ll bounce back, I’m sure, he’ll be back for sure.
“We’re hungry, every major we don’t come to a major just to show up, we want to dominate, we want to be on top of the podium and hopefully we can do that.
Tulloch said: “That was one of my best routines and I’ve still got more to book in, and I know I can score higher than that so I can keep on improving.
“We push each other. We’re a young team, Max leading it, we all look up to him, he’s an amazing gymnast but to have Nile, James, Dom – we’ve all got good chemistry and it’s amazing to be a part of them.
“It obviously didn’t go to plan with some of the pieces, but I knew I just had to go out and do my thing.
(On Nile’s YouTube) “Sometimes I think it’s good because when we finish training, we train for an hour then we go back and there’s not much to do, so when you go back to the athlete’s village, we’ve been here for two weeks now so we can’t just do gymnastics, it’s good to have a little distraction so I like it.”
Georgia Mae Fenton, from Gravesend, after winning gold in the women’s artistic gymnastics uneven bars said:
“I think just staying calm and knowing that I can do it. Not overthinking anything. Just doing what I know to do. I guess it pulled off.
“Euro’s wasn’t the best. I didn’t get to compete. I’ve just been working really hard in the gym and it feel great to be out competing on the international stage.”
England Netball coach Tracey Neville interview after their win against Uganda in the Pool B preliminaries.
“Obviously after the game against Uganda and Malawi, we knew that we were going to come out fighting. We got a great start but we cannot afford to make basic errors. You get punished by teams. Our team need to wake up and realise that if we want to get further into this competition, they need to sort that out.
“It was a case of looking at what else we got in the squad. Which of the players could nail up performances. Which different positions we could use. We were talking about a starting seven going into Sunday. We have got a big game tomorrow. That is the only thing we can concentrate on. We have a massive game on Wednesday. At the end of the day these girls have got to earn the starting seven. They are not going to do that sat on the bench. You get an opportunity. You either take it or if not you are sat next to me the whole game.
“I actually don’t think it’s away fans. It’s hostility towards England. We had it yesterday. The African countries (are) great. Everyone wants an underdog to win. We have got to get used to it. If you are going to face the Aussies then it’s going to get worse than that.
“(Wales) took a couple of claws off of New Zealand and put them a little bit through the runner. We are expecting that tomorrow. They are a very physical team. They are going to come out hard. They had tough loss yesterday against Scotland so they want to make amends in this competition and we are the ones they are going to come for.
“I think (Serena) is having an unbelievably tournament. Having seen her progress over this international phase she has truly earned her position on this squad. The flexibility that she offers over that goal line from wing attack to goal attack. She’s really consistent. What you get from her is 100% possession. She controls the pace of the game. There’s not many people that can stop her.
“The attacking end have shown and proven themselves in January that that attacking end can come out against a tough win against South Africa in that series. That is another option for us in that attacking end. Helen back, Nat out. She creates a little bit of energy and speed in that position as well as wing attack. We are looking at our options. We are looking at out starting seven. We are looking at players who can come off the bench, start the game and so on. We are getting a few answers.”
“We have a few things to do. We have a starting seven to do and you like to see your best seven out there. But actually if they are not performing then you have take that swap and you put a better one on. We had to put Geva back on. We would then give an opportunity to one of our young upcoming defenders. We could have stuck out without a captain. But these girls deserve a chance. They have worked hard to get here. At the moment we needed to win that game and that seven won that game. And we move on to the next game.
“I think (Helen) is a very composed player. She has had a few wobbles. She has probably played very little so the more exposure she gets the more confidence she gets. I think playing out here is doing her some justice as well.
“It’s obviously been a hard road from the start. The real positive for us throughout each individual competition is that we have never had this 12 together. It’s given us accessibility to test players and you have seen the likes of Beth Cobden, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Jodie Gibson and even Helen Housby start to take on some responsibility and gain some experience at an international level. That was a tough game today. The easiest thing would have been to put on some experience like Jo but I had every confidence in that attacking end
“I know in the last four years it was pick and choose. Teams decided not to play against you. I think now the regularity is improving at an international level. You have seen some of the top nations. The players now are accessing all the best leagues in the world. The English league, the Australian League and the New Zealand league. They are going into full time programmes and training full time. The level of mental and physical toughness is a lot higher. That’s surprising to see.”
London sprinter Adam Gemili finished second in his 100m semi-final, and following his race he said:
“I’ve made the final but I didn’t really run as well as I could have done. I started well but in the transition phase I left myself a lot of work to do. The top speed was ok so I’m happy to reach the final. It’s all about focusing on the recovery now to be at my best for it.
“I just have to smash it in one race tomorrow. It’s going to be very tough with the Jamaicans and the South Africans so it is going to be fast. I believe if I get my race right, I will be fine.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey finished fifth in his men’s 100m semi-final, missing out on the final. The London athlete said:
“It was just my transition. I wanted it too much. I pumped myself up, got myself ready for it. My start wasn’t great – I’ve been working on that element. A lot of people know I’ve had three stress fractures in my back and I snapped a tendon behind my knee, so a lot of these things are elements that would keep me down in my drive phase. One of the reasons I’m so powerful, it means I’m able to run from an upright position. It’s coming with each race – less than a week ago I ran 10.6 and I thought to myself, what’s going on, but I was in heavy training. I’ve tried to get fresh for this and I feel good and ready, but like I said – that transition just got me out. My upright running is pretty much there.
“I just feel like I should be in the final, so I’m frustrated. To run the same time as the final qualifier is frustrating. I feel like I’ve got a lot to give and a lot to prove and it’s an opportunity missed.”
Rabah Yousif progressed through the first round of the men’s 400m and the Londondr said:
“I am happy; it is a seasons’ best. It is very unusual for me to start my season so early but I am pleased to run fast so soon. The race was very good for me but it was hard work.
“I just concentrate on myself and get my job done. I had everything focused on getting to the next round. When I just concentrate on executing my race, that is when I do my best.”
London sprinter Dwayne Cowan also progressed to the next rounds of the men’s 400m, and said:
“Very good – I’m fairly pleased with how I performed. I know I have to go faster in the semi-final, but I shook of the rust today.”
Sandy Ryan, from Derby, after beating Lovlina Borgohain in the Women’s 69kg Quarterfinal said:
“It was tough. My first one. Big stage. I got some supporters over here. Everyone back home. Even Derby county have wished me luck. The pressure kind of got to me a bit but the first one is out of the way now. I’ll be relaxed and now I’m in the game. You’ll see a lot of better performances. This wasn’t my best at all.
“I just had to find my range. (Lovlina) is so tricky. She was powerful. She will nick the shots with her long arms and that’s what we were going in there to try and do. To try and defend and then counter. She is one of the best at range. Fair play to her.
“I wasn’t nervous about the draws. I was just nervous about the occasion. Just getting the first fight out of the way and getting a feel for the venue. Now that that’s done i can start to enjoy it.
“You can draw the best first or you can draw the one in the final you were meant to have first. That’s why every fight has got to be your final. That was my final in there.”
A sprint cyclist who made the transition to endurance disciplines a few years back, Kian Emadi put in a respectable performance in the men’s 1000m time trial in Day 4, he said:
“Pretty disappointed to be honest, it was a pretty steady ride. I thought it was a technically good ride, executed a lot of little points I set out to do, but probably didn’t have the legs on the day.
“Couple of years ago the endurance guys would kind of muscle in a bit, sprinters were still historically going out quite fast (in the time trial kilo) on small gears and then dying off, but it’s now clicked that a lot of sprint guys are going out on huge gears and they’ve just got that superior minute power, they’re not dropping off they’re finishing as fast as an endurance rider by gaining a couple of seconds at the start.
“I think team pursuit is always going to come first at the moment (priorities), it’s an Olympic event. I would like to, the kilo’s quite a pure event, it’s good to put a time against the clock but team pursuit funds the programme at the moment so I’ve got to prioritise that and I enjoy that.
“(Australia) have always been historically a super-fast team, so you knew even if they didn’t break the world record, they’re still the team to beat.”
London’s Tin-Tin Ho, after the Table Tennis Women’s team bronze medal victory over Australia, said:
“She would be dominant because she has quite a powerful spinning shot. I think I had to change my tactics a bit. At first I played mainly wide and she wasn’t ready. I had to win within the first three points so I really had to use my serve-receive play.
“The set before that was really close so when I lost that I told myself that it could have gone either way. I could have lost the set before and I could have won this set so I just had to forget about it. I’ve been in that situation before where I have been up and lost. I’m really glad that this time I learned from that.
“It was really difficult. I had clear tactics to pin her more, like using my backhand spin. Playing Canada was quite good because I got the feeling for that. Just watching the timing of the ball when she uses her backhand. It stops a bit so I really have to move in.”
Kelly Sibley, from Leamington Spa, reflects on her Bronze victory with the Table Tennis team
“I just believed in myself. Australia are a very good team but we all dug in really well. It showed really today what we can do as a team and it’s fantastic to be a part of it.
“My mum and dad are here so it’s fantastic to do this in from of them but also my wife is at home, she’s been supporting and getting up at silly hours in the morning, so this medal is really for my family, to say thank you so much for always being there and support me.
“I’ve got a lot of experience, this is my 4thgame and actually the first that I’ve won as a part of a team. We were really good as a team, good team spirit and I’m so proud of all the girls.”
After Team England’s triumph in the women’s table tennis team event to claim bronze from Australia, Maria Tsaptsinos, from Reading, had this to say:
“Words can’t describe how happy I am right now, first Commonwealth Games, first medal, I’m just so happy for all the girls. Kelly, this is her last Commonwealth Games, never got a team medal, I’m just so happy for all of them.
“Tin-tin, 2-1 up in the last game, 10-9 and I was going ‘this is it!’, lost that one, but she got it back so everything’s good.
“We’d all got given skirts and the team were winding me up for weeks on end saying I have to wear it, the team’s wearing it you have to wear it, and I was like ‘I’m not wearing a skirt’, so if we won a medal we’d jump in the pool fully clothed and I’d wear a skirt in my first doubles match.”
Adam Peaty, from Uttoxeter, after winning his heat in the 50m breaststroke said:
“The last few days on the 100 haven’t been what I wanted them to be. I’ve been going out there with expectations. With that kind of pressure on myself. Tonight was the first night where I actually enjoyed it. Actually enjoyed swimming the race. I was completely relaxed before it. I’m glad I came here because I have learned so much these last few days than I have the last two years. From Rio, how can you learn from such an amazing performance. How can you keep learning from last year. Moments like this is where you collect all that learning and hopefully that’s going to help me to Tokyo now.
“I’ve been chatting to a few people. A few people come up to me because I look disappointed. I was about my performance yesterday. Even though it was a gold a lot of people don’t understand what I’m trying to achieve. Coming out there tonight, a lot of people just said to me to enjoy it. I want to be able to look back in ten years time and say I gave it my best chance. But I don’t want to look back and say that I took it too seriously and have a laugh along the way. Today I’ve had a laugh with my mates. Just relax a bit. It’s the Commonwealth Games in an amazing country. Grateful to be here.
“If I go into these next two years as focused and as serious as I am then I won’t be Olympic champion if I’m doing that on the 100. But if I’m relaxed, do what I did the last four years that made me successful. Hopefully I will retain that title.
“You don’t really get many fairy-tale stories in swimming or in sport. So far it has been a fairy-tale. Four years undefeated yes. I have got that crown now. I’m not looking into performance anymore on that 100. At the moment I’m saying ‘how can I make myself as happy as possible, how can I enjoy it as much as possible’. Then the performance will come. I’m kind of reverse engineering how I should swim. I think that’s working for me. You can tell tonight I was completely relaxed. Tomorrow I’m just going to have a laugh.
“I’m not bothered about the race tomorrow. I’m bothered about enjoying it. If it’s a silver it’s a silver. If it’s a gold it’s a gold. I’m changing my mentality now. I’ve learnt a lot these past 24 hours of what I want out of the sport.”
Emily Kay, from Coventry, took bronze in the Women’s 10km Scratch Race final and said:
“I’m over the moon, I can’t wipe the smile of my face! The past few days have been very tough, this was my last opportunity for a medal. I think I rode it quite well, I nearly got taken out with two laps to go and I thought that my chance was over, but I just found the gap and it worked.
“I think the girls from England, Scotland and Wales are all incredibly strong, so I always knew it was going to be hard and I am very happy with bronze.
“I don’t think I could have done much more, I came in in the best form that I could and I’ve done every event on the track, I’ve not really targeted just one but tried to be good across all of them. I’ve had some disappointing rides, but I’ve also taken a lot of positive out my first Commonwealth Games.”
The Men’s Para Triples team beat Scotland in the fourth round.
Michael Thomas Robertson, Peterborough, from said:
“I think Kieran lead very well. It was a real battle between Keiran and Garry at lead. That was a really good game. Paul played very very well. I converted a few now and again. It’s always difficult playing Scotland because we have played them a number of times. I’m obviously Scottish. Probably even more difficult for me. It was a good solid team performance. We now qualify for the last four which is excellent. I believe Australia have also qualified which is good for them. Hopefully they don’t finish fourth because I don’t want to play them until we get to the final. It was a good performance. The crowd were well into it again which is excellent. Really enjoyed it.
“I love the atmosphere. It was really good last week against Australia as well. Lots of singing and chanting. That’s the way that bowls should be played. It should be that sort of atmosphere. It’s just great. Playing bowls. Beautiful greens. Flood lights. Shorts and a t-shirt. With a crowd that are getting involved. It makes bowls is a great game. It really does.”
“In four years’ time I will be 56. I might be over the hill by then. Keiran will definitely be around. He has just turned 18. He is a real prospect. As to Paul and myself, he might be in for another one. We will see how it goes in four years time.
“Wales have had a tough competition. I know Pauline. I know how good she is. They always raise the game against England so I know it will be a tough game for us tomorrow. It would be good to go through with another game tomorrow. It will be good to win and finish in first place. We will see where it goes from there.”
Kieran Rollings from, Kettering, said:
“Performance tonight was much better than last night. Definitely went into that game a lot stronger than previous games. (We’re) more confident going into the next game with Wales.
Paul Brown, from Bristol, said:
“It would be nice to go undefeated through the group. It would be nice to claim that undefeated title. Puts a bit of pressure on the other countries when they get drawn against us. It’s a psychological thing. It’s a bit of a boost for us so we will try again tomorrow.”
Racking up her second medal of the Games with a silver in the S9 100m freestyle, Alice Tai, from Poole, said:
“I’m more than happy with this one. My coach was saying maybe like 1:03.5, my PB was 1:03.7 and then I couldn’t actually see my time because I didn’t have my contacts in! And then one of the other swimmers, Toni Shaw, just said to me ‘oh you went 1:03.7’ and I was like ‘really?’ that’s so fast, so I’m pleased.
“I think my backstroke (on Friday) could have been faster, but I paced it wrong, but I got a gold out of it, so it’ll do.
“Hopefully I can progress my PBs there (at the Europeans), and just see how it goes on the lead-up to Tokyo.”
Lauren Bate, from Billinge, spoke after coming last in the second round of Women’s Keirin:
“I’m happy and I’m disappointed at the same time. I think I really struggled today, my legs have not been there, but I’ve given it my all everywhere I could and tried to take everything I could out of it.”
“For the second round my legs were already tired and I was thrown in with five of the fastest people in the competition so it was always going to be a hard semi-final, but I gave all I could and at the end I just didn’t have it.”
After beating Northern Irishmen and friend Sean McComb in the men’s 64kg round of 16 on points, Team England boxer Luke McCormack, from Sunderland, said:
“He’s a top opponent, he’s massive for the weight but he came to fight so i was trying to draw him onto shots and I was doing it well, catching him with some clean shots. I’m just buzzing.
“I feel like that was going to be the final here, like that was the hardest bout, so I’m glad to get him out the way early and push on from here.
(On being a close fight) “It was last time I beat him and it will be the next time I beat him, but you know the thing I like most about boxing Sean McComb? I always win!
“I won the first, he might have nicked the second so I thought I’d just push on.
“He was big, dangly, awkward, he’s got long arms. So I was staying out of his way, but that’s the second time I’ve beaten him now.
“Listen, if I keep winning, I’ll keep winning. I don’t need to improve nothing. I was being a bit eager, he was a little bit taller so I was eager but I found my range in the second round. I think he slowed down, so in the second round he pushed on a bit, but obviously he couldn’t keep it up in the third.
“I felt terrible in my first fight, all the scales were wrong so I had to get up at 06:30 and do a bit of skipping lose 0.2kg or something, so it was a bit of a nightmare, I had to get a bit of weight off in the morning so it killed me.”
75Kg Weightlifter Emily Godley, from Farnborough, spoke after winning her gold medal:
“I live in Melbourne at the moment, I moved in July last year as my fiancé got offered a job, so it was just circumstances that decided me to move. It’s been tough having my coach on the other side of the world, but I’ve been lifting for 10 years so my technique isn’t really going to change at this point, it’s just a case of following my program, sending videos back to my coach, getting his feedback and getting the training done.
“It feels amazing to be on top of the podium, I can’t ask for more, I feel like I’m dreaming actually. It hasn’t sunk in properly yet. I’ve been training and gaining body weight sine I finished 4thin Glasgow and it’s paid off, this is what I’ve dreamt of and I have just accomplished it.”
Bournemouth Beach Volleyball paid Chris Gregory and Jake Sheaf were beaten by New Zealand in their third game and said:
“I think we played really good in the first set. I think in the second and third set they upped their pressure. We could have definitely picked up first pass.
“Tomorrow we have got a day off. So, take a bit of rest and make sure we are all recovered for the next game. Then have a look at the game plan for the quarter final.
“The first game was obviously a little nervy. We feel comfortable playing it now.”
Ethan Hayter won bronze in the last track cycling medal of the competition, in the Men’s 40kn point race final. The London-born athlete said:
“I had to ride really hard, so I had to play it quite cleverly, I saved my gas, didn’t go to hard in sprints.”
Ben Whittaker, from West Bromwich, after beating Cayman Islands Dariel Ebanks in the men’s 75kg round of 16 said:.
“I feel great. It’s my first fight of the tournament so there was no point going out there and killing myself, getting a niggle or a cut., just go through the motions. Obviously make it convincing but there is no point me going in there and getting a cut for the next bout.
“I’m a bit of a perfectionist, I’m my own critic. So is my dad, he will probably watch it and say nothing was good, which is good you know, you need that. I didn’t do everything that I could have done. Not being bad to the opponent, there wasn’t really much coming back. Nothing to worry about.
“He was very nervous to throw. That’s where I could have went for the stoppage. The way he was hit he was going all over the place, it made it clear for the judges. I came away with the unanimous.
“As you can see by my boots, I have a Cuban flag on there. I’m English born and proud, but I do study the Cuban art to hit an uppercut into my style. Some people might think it’s showboating but I’m trying to stay humble. There is no need to take unnecessary hits for no reason.
“I’m young. A lot of people know who I am. They know I’m one of the fighters going for gold. I just take it stride by stride, I’ve been to European championships and the world’s. I’ve fought the best in the world and I’ve acquitted myself well against them. There is not really much to worry about if I go in there switched on.
“Being around (Anthony Joshua) is great. You get to train with them. Anthony Joshua has come through the same setup as us. If he can do it and has made himself a role model to all young boxers then why can’t we. You just got to stay level headed and keep working hard. Anything is possible really.
“He always gave little pointers like stay on it. I’m the number one in Great Britain now but there are always people coming up behind me trying to take the spot. Enjoy the ride because sometime it won’t last. Keep enjoying what I’m doing. Don’t just look ahead, look behind me as well.
“Whatever the bout comes to, I add that to it. If the opponent is going back I move forward. If he is coming to me I can either stand there and fight or make him miss. It’s all down to my IQ in the ring. If I listen to the coach’s tactics.
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, from Bath, after winning gold in the women’s 200m individual medley said:
“It was a massive shock to win and I was over the moon. Four years on it’s a bit different and I just really wanted to try and get my confidence back again. What an amazing arena, it’s incredible swimming out there. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so over the moon to have won gold and add it to the amazing haul for team England.
“That was my choice to race, it did add to the pressure but I knew that coming in here. I’ve been used to focusing on the medley. Hopefully going forward I will try and boot my programme again. It’s been a bit of a tricky 12 months since Rio. I’m just really happy with that swim. It was a great atmosphere out here tonight.
“I did take a lot of time off after Rio and I think I really needed that. I’ve got back on it again and I’m really enjoying it, I feel back to my old self, I’m really looking forward to the next two years. The Commonwealth Games are a crucial point. It’s that halfway point between the Olympics so fingers crossed I can have another good two years.
“I think having that time off, although it’s hard to get back in, really did help. I love swimming. This is what it’s all about. The training is really hard but moments like this make it worth it. I sat in the corridor and I felt really nervous. I felt really sick but when I get to swim like that in front of a crowd like that. My parents have travelled all over the world to watch me. Literally to the other side of the world which is very special. It’s moments like that that really make all the training and hard work worth it. I feel very lucky.
“Fingers crossed that is the next thing on the calendar. This year is quite weird. We have the Commonwealths now but then the next major meet is in the summer. Fingers crossed for that. I’m really looking forward to getting to do another competition at home. I know it’s in Glasgow but it’s in Britain. (I’ve) been very fortunate that over the past few years I’ve been able to compete at home games.”
After their silver win in the men’s 4 x 200m swim relay, Nick Grainger, from Rotherham, and Jarvis Parkinson, from Doncaster, said of their performance:
Grainger said: “The time was a little bit slower than what I did in the summer last year. The season that I’ve had has been a very tough one. I’ve been up and down all over the country trying to sort out the situation. I’m really proud we got in and did the job. I swam faster than I did earlier on in the week in the individual. We just had to do the job as a team and I’m just so proud to be part of it. The Aussies are a fantastic team, they are always going to be very fast in this event. We were two men short on the world championship winning team last year anyway. I’m over the moon and filled with pride to be part of the English team.
“(Russell) has been away for medical reasons, he is on the mend but hopefully he will be back pretty soon, me and British swimming and the club city Sheffield have been working really closely to get the most out of my season. We’ve made it work.
“I don’t know for definite quite yet what’s happening but we are going to assess the situation really regularly and try and sort out the best situation for me.
“The 200 free has always been such an in-depth event, in Britain alone it’s ridiculous the depth that we’ve got. Everyone keeps on pushing each other to swim faster and faster and faster. I think it’s fantastic that we have got this sort of competition. It’s nice to race against some of the guys that we are usually in teams with.”
Parkinson said: “The 4x100m was massively different to that, for Nick he has been on the international level for a little while, this is my first international senior meet. I think keeping composed and absorbing the whole thing as an experience has been massive for me. I’m happy with that, obviously I would like to go a little bit faster, always chasing times, always seeing who can get on the wall the fastest.
“I’m happy with how it went. I’m happy with walking out in front of 10,000 people and doing a best time. I’ve taken 4x100m as an experience, 4×200 as an experience, luckily enough I have a solid team around me to back me and help me get the two silvers I have got, If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I was. They carried me through it so I’m very happy.
“I stayed composed, Staying composed for me is massive. I get so excited, I love racing, the last thing I want to do is lose, I need to keep my head on. My coach said to me before we went out to relax, do what you do best and race the second 100 and do what you need to do in the first 100’. I learnt from the 4x100m, the 4x100m was a learning experience and the 4x200m was even more of a learning experience to add to my book. It’s going in the right direction, that’s where I want to be going.
“Now that I’ve got a taste of it I want the full meal now. That was just a starter. I’ve got the main course to come. (I’ve) got the 200 medley on Tuesday so using the experience on the relay to try and divert that into my individual. More experience yeah.
“I throw myself in everything really, I used to be a freestyler when I was younger then got into the medley route. Last year I realised I quite enjoy freestyle again, I’m new into the senior stage. I’m seeing what Chad’s doing on being able to swim fly and all sorts of different strokes, same with Jimmy (James Guy), that’s what I want to be. I don’t just want to be like a one-race wonder, I want to be spreading my events out evenly. Nothing is too tiring. You put the work in during training. You get the outcome in your race.”
Day 4 quotes from overnight
Tom Bosworth, from Pembury, who won silver in the Men’s 20km race walk, and set a new national record finishing in 1 hour 19 minutes and 38 seconds. He said:
“I’m so pleased with this medal and to be up there with Dane (Bird-Smith) – he’s a really good mate so I really pleased for him. The noise was insane; the race was brilliant fun so it must have been a great moment for him. I certainly was for me.
“With 600m to go, I thought I had a good shout for the gold. But that’s home crowd advantage; It lifted him and carried him towards the line. The adrenaline was incredible for me so I can’t even imagine what it was like for him. It must have been amazing to win that.
“I didn’t think it would be sub 1:20 but that is all thanks to my coach Andi Drake who has got me in the best shape for these Games. It is a national record but to get under 1:20 is just something else I have been targeting for a long time. I was testing the guys all the way around and they were testing me. We knew we would have to move over the last few kilometres.
“After getting disqualified while leading at the World Championships last year it was an incredibly emotional final lap for me. So to put that to bed and win the silver is just brilliant.”
Callum Wilkinson from Moulton, finished an impressive 7thin the race walk and he said afterwards:
“It was a great experience for me. The crowd were brilliant so it was the perfect atmosphere to compete in. The course was nice and compact which suited me. There were quite a few turns which meant you had to alter your pace but that was ok with me. I started well and was walking well just behind the lead pack. I just had to be patient and I think that is what I am most proud of.
“I’m the youngest athlete in the field by five years so I am beyond happy with the result. Give me four years and I’ll be well up the pack and chasing for medals. Well done to Tom and coach Andi; they’ve worked so hard for this after the disappointment of last year so I’m very happy for them.”
Gemma Bridge, from Oxford, finished 5th in the women’s race walk with a time of 1:39.31. She said:
“Considering the build-up I am just happy to be here – I had been injured and had food poisoning and just had two weeks’ training before coming out here. So I’m happy just to be here. I wanted to come out here and just enjoy it so I tried to smile as much as I could. Just enjoy the experience. I didn’t think I could medal then halfway round I thought maybe I have a chance or at least could get closer.
“I like chasing. It meant that I could relax and just do my own thing, not worry about my technique and enjoy the experience. I could see that (Beki Smith) was tiring as we were turning so I just tried to get closer to have someone to work with. She was tiring more than I was.
“Because it’s only a 1km lap, I felt every lap I was trying to pick someone off or look ahead. I find it hard to keep my head up so it was good to have people to look at. It’s something to build on and we have China in a few weeks of so hopefully after a few weeks more training I will be stronger.
“It’s been amazing. The village is incredible. Because I’m quite new to the sport it’s a bit overwhelming. I’m still learning – what to eat, what training to do – but it’s getting better and every event I do I feel stronger and more confident.”
James Wilby from Loughborough finishing second after the 50m breaststroke qualifying, said:
“I see the 50m as my 100m in many ways. I kind of want to do in the front end what I would want to do in the 100m. But I just want to improve on that in the 50m and then on to the relay and we’re done. Adam is really fast over 100m and as I have said before I enjoy chasing him!”
Adam Peaty, from Uttoxeter, after winning his heat in the 50m breaststroke:
“Enjoying it, yeah. I’m not taking it too seriously and I think I have been guilty of that in the past. In some of the recent championships I have been trying to go faster and faster in the heats but what I learnt in Denmark was that it was important to step it up for the semi and then fly in to the final. I was disappointed with my time last night but it’s all about the medals here and hopefully I can do the same in the 50m.”
Maddie Hinch, from Southampton, after England Women’s 2-1 defeat in the Hockey:
“We just didn’t take our chances out there. We just weren’t as on it as we have been previously in this tournament. We can blame the heat or whatever but it’s just not good enough. On paper we are a far better side than we showed today. Credit to India though and they took their chances down the other end but sometimes that happens. At the end of the day we have to use this as frustration that we can put in to our next game tomorrow.”
Siobhan O’Connor, from Bath, after finishing fourth in her 200m individual medley heat, said:
“Yeah, in Glasgow I had a really busy programme. I still have the relays here. I just felt after last year that I just wanted to focus on the 200m medley. I’m pleased with that this morning though and fingers crossed for tonight.”
Sarah Davies, from Leeds, won silver in the women’s 69kg weightlifting. She said:
“I am overwhelmed. I’m speechless. My best ever in competition was 121kg so to get close to that was great. The crowd were amazing and I was nearly there and it was millimetres really. For me this wasn’t my weight class originally so to medal in this category is amazing.”
Dean Bale, from Barnstaple, finished 7thin his first ever Commonwealth Games:
“I was really unsure of how well I was going to do but I knew I wanted to make the final and I’m pleased I’ve achieved that goal. It was really nerve wracking but being this is my first major championships and turning senior this year. It’s a good experience and hopefully I can do a bit better next time.”
Nick Miller took the gold medal in the men’s hammer throw. The Carlisle-born athlete said:
“It is the result of a lot of hard work between me and my coach. It has all paid off in the end. It is just incredible to win the gold; it is such a special moment for me as my family are in the crowd; they will be more pleased that I threw over 80m.
“To be honest, I thought I could throw 80m; it is the distance every hammer thrower wants to make. The best part is that I beat my coach. We joked for years that I’d throw over his best (80.14m) and when 80.26m came up, it was one up on him.
“I got a little bit of cramp on the first throw which affected my rhythm going on to the second throw. I had a little word with myself and said ‘what are you doing you haven’t thrown like that since you were 15’. I then threw a 76m and knew it was no problem. Things went really well today; it gives me a lot of confidence.
“Things for a little more serious last year. I got married and that changed my perspective on things. Everything seems to be slotting in to place and this result is the end of a lot of effort over the last year.”
Taylor Campbell, from Slough, finished fifth in the men’s hammer throw final and said:
“It was nice to be in a medal position for a few rounds. I tried to respond in the last round but I didn’t quite get it. After my earlier fails in the second and third rounds, it would have felt nice, but at the minute I’m still very early on in my throwing this season. It’s a bit frustrating, but I tried to give it my all. For my first senior experience, it’s bittersweet. I didn’t blow out and do awfully, but there’s still more to come.
“I know if I was to have medalled, it would have been good, but I was happy with my opener. I didn’t make the technical adjustments I needed, but its still early doors and I’m still getting used to things – you have to think long term. The guys that beat me here have been to the Olympics and for me it’s the first taste of a multisport Games. I tried to prepare myself the best I could, but it’s one of things – it depends what happens on the day. I’m looking forward to the season now.
“There’s big throws in there – there’s no reason why I can’t PB soon. Every competition I learn more about my technique and I’ve just got to be patient with it all.”
Despite a disappointing 2-1 loss to India, the women’s hockey team still top pool A and can qualify with a win against Malaysia on Monday. Here’s what Giselle Ansley (Plymouth), Hannah Martin (Ipswich) and Alex Danson (Southampton) had to say:
GS: “Well as you always say you’ve got to beat everyone to win it, so ultimately we’re going to be prepared for whoever we end up facing, for us it’s about focusing on our own game, it’s all about tomorrow night.
HM: “We didn’t play well enough today to get the result, but we were a bit unlucky, we hit the post twice at the end of the game but it just wasn’t falling for us. We’re going to go back, look at the video and work on our critical for the next game. At the end of the day we need to put those goals in, the bar isn’t enough, so we’ll go back and really come out fighting against Malaysia.
“It’s an early game, i think that heat was a factor, but no excuses at all, India played really well and they kept the pressure up high and I think on our day it could have gone either way but disappointed with the result.”
AD: “It started very well, India played well when they came out for the second half, we just didn’t play our best today, I feel we had plenty of opportunities to be up within the game but we didn’t take them so no excuses, we’ve got to go in tomorrow and still win this tournament.
“No consolation (for scoring), it doesn’t matter who scores, unless you’re on the winning team that’s the only place (I want to be).
“Sometimes you have to accept it’s not going to be your day, but I think this could be the making of us, we’ll thoroughly debrief this, we’ve got a game tomorrow so it’s very much recover and get the job done.”
James Wilstrop, born in North Walsham, progressed to the men’s squash singles final following his 3-0 semi-final victory against Malaysia. He said:
“To be in the finals for the third time is so thrilling, what an occasion to have ahead of you, that’s tremendous. I love playing big occasions, it’s really fulfilling.
“The longevity thing is so pleasing and my physiotherapist, Alison Rose, in Leeds has just been an absolute wonder-woman for me all my life, she’s kept me strong after my surgery and thanks to her I’ve been able to play squash until 34 years old.
“Paul Cole is favourite for the final tomorrow and he is an incredibly tough player and has an unbelievable physicality. He has beaten me the last times so if there is not too much pressure, I still hope I can rely on my experience.”
You can keep on top of today’s action at www.teamengland.org with Team England’s daily medal tracker and regular website updates.
