Team England – Day 8 quotes from overnight
Liam Pitchford from Chesterfield and Paul Drinkhall from Middlesbrough won their Men’s Doubles quarterfinal:
PD: “I think they changed their tactics slightly and we didn’t play as aggressive as we did in the first two and they took every chance they got and I think it was the first set we had a match point and they had a few and once they won the second set, we felt it change a bit but we managed to get it back in the first set.
LP: “Yeah, it’s good to be semi-finalists and I think we play India who just beat Australia. So we’ve not really seen them play as a partnership so we’ll look at the tactics and if we play like we did there we have a good chance of going through.
Katie Gleeson, from Goring-by-sea qualified from her shooting. She said:
“I’m happy with the result because I squeaked into the final so any position above that was always going to be an improvement so to be able to finish a couple of places outside the medal positions, I’m absolutely buzzing with that.
“It means the world to be here. My family are here watching and just to be able to make them proud, my country proud, it means everything to me.”
Kim Daybell from Sheffield won in the Men’s TT6-10 Singles. He said:
“I think I had been struggling to find my form at this tournament and I don’t know whether it’s the surroundings or the occasion because I have had a few up and down moments so far, but I’ve just about how enough to get through each one and that’s the most important thing.
“I think when I tried to impose my game more I became more comfortable and I guess that comes with the pressure of the situation. I managed to get a bit more pace and spin in my game and it helped me control it a bit more.”
Ross Wilson from Minster also won his semi-final and will play Daybell, his room mate. Speaking afterwards, he said:
“I had to counter his really strong start and I changed my tactics so I felt like I addressed that and was more positive in the second set and I thought I followed up on my serves better. He (his opponent) was following it up well, and he’s a good player so it’s really pleasing to be in to the final.
“It’s going to be brilliant (to play against Kim), it will be a different match, but great for it to be an all-England final. I think my approach will be the same as any other match and you always want to win. It’s fantastic for England but we both want the Gold medal. I’m just over the moon to be in a final of a Commonwealth Games.”
Hannah Martin from Hove took part in the Ball final of the rhythmic gymnastics and finished in 4thplace. She said:
“It’s been like a rollercoaster. The atmosphere in there was amazing. It’s my first big event since the European champs in 2016 and the atmosphere was incredible and I am just happy to be a part of that.
“It will definitely give me a big confidence boost because ive been able to perform routines under big pressure and that’s a skill that you need in gymnastics because you can do it in training as much as you want but it’s what you do on the carpet that matters. So I am happy that I have been able to deliver what I have been working on.”
Charlie Bowling, Wigan, lost his quarter final in the wrestling and said afterwards:
“Disappointed to lose. I know him well from back home so it’s a shame I couldn’t get the win but it’s all part of the experience being here and hopefully I can win my next match and come back in for the medal matches.
Team England won their 4X100M relay heat with a time of 38.15.
Reuben Arthur, from London, who ran leg 1 said:
“It was interesting. It was lovely getting into the arena and there’s a wonderful crowd out here. Before we got here a lot of the boys were saying to me that I was going to feel something different. If I’m honest, I didn’t feel anything different- it’s a race, the same way I would run if I was at Bedford, or English Schools. To be part of the team and for everything to go so smoothly and run 38.1 in the heat is amazing.
“These are people I’ve watched on tv going through the ranks. I remember where I was when I was watching Harry run the last leg in Berlin, I remember watching Richard win World Indoors in 2014. To be in amongst that is good and a good indication that I’m moving in the right direction. It’s good that you meet people and they’re really nice to get along with.”
Zharnel Hughes (who trains in London) ran leg 2, said:
“I didn’t get much sleep last night but I’m just glad we got the job done. I’m proud to be part of this team and I did my very best for them.
“[On last night’s DQ in the 200m] It was a bit of a nightmare hearing that I had been disqualified for something I didn’t really do. I would never try to impede another athlete. I wouldn’t say it was unfair, it is just the officials opinion. I have to accept it. I found out when I was coming back along the home straight – my team told me. It was a bit heart breaking to hear.
“At the end of the day, I prepared myself nicely for the Commonwealth Games and progressed through the rounds well. Sometimes technical issues happen so it is just one of those things.
[On motivation ahead of the relay final] “It makes me very hungry now. The guys have been very supportive. I am giving my best going forward for them, to be the best of my ability to help us win a medal. It would be very special to win a medal tomorrow but nothing is certain; we have to go out and execute it.”
Richard Kilty (Leg 3) from Middlesbrough said:
“Reuben’s shown experience and confidence coming in to run first leg. He’s only had ten days, two weeks’ notice and he’s held his own with some of the best sprinters in the world, like the Jamaicans. Absolutely solid, calm and collected all the way through. We all gave him some advice and he’s completely taken on and shown some confidence.
“Zharnel flew down the back straight. He’s hungry and he’s going to be moving. I know with him flying down the back and my acceleration I can do some damage around the top bend and obviously me and Harry we’re like clockwork with that, as we’ve been working on that since 2015. We’re solid and confident going into the final.
“We really felt for Zharnel. Looking back at the replay, it didn’t seem like anyone’s fault, it’s just championship athletics. I was gutted for him. It was heart-breaking to watch – we gave him a big hug when he came in.”
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Leg 4) from Carshalton, said:
“It was about coming out here, performing and making sure we get through to the final. Zharnel’s shown some resilience to come out here to perform with the team. At the same time, Reuben was a last minute addition in terms of timing and it shows the kind of strength in depth we have to come out here and run 38.1.
“The guy was jet lagged not too long ago, so to be able to come out and do what he’s been able to do, with the Jamaicans outside of us, we’ve put a good race together.
“There’s no fear. We’re lions and we’ve got to roar. We want nothing but the best for ourselves, for the team and the nation. There’s a lot of us as part of the relay. Adam’s back stage and we’re doing it for him as well. We’ve got that core support for each other.”
Dan Goodfellow, from Cambridge, won Gold with Tom Daley, from Plymouth, in the 10m synchro diving. They said afterwards:
DG: “The second dive which is usually my best one but it was short and vertical so it was a bit of a fight. We’re not here for long now but we’re going to enjoy it.
TD: “It’s been a really rough five days in the build-up to the competition and that’s why this medal means so much. It’s been day in, day out in recovery and ice baths and I was doing everything I could to get on that start line. So really happy with the way it’s turned out.
“There’s always relief when you win a competition because a couple of days ago I didn’t know if I was going to compete and was nearly being pulled out of the competition. So if you don’t have a working hip up on a 10m platform and you miss a leg, it hurts. You could land flat or hit your head so I’m glad I was able to be in a position to be here.
“It’s affected not just my mobility but the speed my legs come up. If I was just living normally I could deal with it but with the speed we have to get our legs up and over our head, it’s so fast that if one of your legs is slower then it could cause you all sorts of problems.
Rajiv Ouseph from Hounslow progressed through from his quarter final and said afterwards:
“I just needed to be aware as it was an unknown quantity but it was more about me concentrating on myself and my own game and I did as well as I could and it was enough to put me through today.”
In the Men’s 4x400m relay heats Matthew Hudson-Smith pulled up with an injury on the first leg and England are now out. Dwayne Cowan from London said afterwards:
“It is very frustrating and I’m just sorry for Matt. He’s in really good shape so it was a good opportunity for us to get the gold. Our team was in good shape; Jack nearly won a medal in the hurdles so he was looking strong too.
“There was something there for us, so that makes it even more disappointing.”
Lisa Whiteside from Chorley won her semi final and will now fight in the 51kg final on Saturday. She said afterwards:
“It was a tough fight to have. I need to rest and recuperate now and go and get ready for the final tomorrow.
“I don’t overthink on my opponent as I know that works. I knew I’d done enough today but I think I started slow in the first round but I finished strong but not far in to the round. I needed a bit of a kick up the backside to tell me to get it going but I just had to wear her down. She’s a good counter boxer and a tricky opponent and I just had to keep going and going.
“It would mean the absolute world, the absolute world honestly (to win Gold) and I’ve been so close to Gold so many times at big levels but with the coverage this gets and the feedback I’m getting from home and celebrities in boxing, so then obviously I have boxed and beaten a different opponent. I just need to bring that gold home tomorrow.
“I have only just had a message this morning from Barry McGuigan who is an absolute gent of a man wishing me all the best and saying how he was impressed with me. Anthony Joshua as well who is part of our family with GB and Natasha who is one of my best friends. After I won against India she said she felt like my mum!
“It’s a big family sport and I’ve been around quite a while so it’s good to get noticed. Those people know already I am up there but the public have never really seen me so it’s great.
“We watched video analysis (of her opponent) and I knew I had the beating of her but she put up a very good fight and fair play to her. She will go far in her boxing career. At the end of the day she’s come up against me and I’m ranked quite high and she now knows she’s deserved that medal. We’ve been there together both mornings now getting our hair done and I’m not one of those who stare people out.”
Lauren Smith (Carlisle) and Marcus Ellis (from Huddersfield) won their Mixed Doubles quarter final and said afterwards:
LS: “That could have been a banana skin game so we’re feeling good about that because they are the kind of pair that don’t really let you settle and feel comfortable. In the end I thought it was a comfortable win for us and it’s great to be in to the next round tomorrow.”
ME: “I think we are playing the top seeds but we haven’t played them before and we just need to prepare the best we can and get ready for a really tough match, but we are playing well and there’s nobody in here we can’t beat so we have to prepare with that mindset.”
Galal Yafai from Birmingham won his 46-49kg semi final in the boxing and will fight for Gold tomorrow. He said afterwards:
“I don’t feel the pressure really (that England boxers should be winning) because it’s my job. I have just got to go out there and do my best and get the result. I’m in touch with people back home but I think I’m experienced now from major events that I can manage it myself. It helps but I have some good experience now.
“Sometimes I can be a bit confident and too cheeky but you can see I am enjoying it and I just need to go and get a Gold medal in the final. It feels good to be out there but I feel relatively experienced as I’m in about my 40thbout.”
Sam Gowin from Portsmouth won bronze in the rapid fire pistol was over the moon with a bronze medal. He said:
“I’m speechless to be honest. I guess it’s training smart and these are the results. I will be celebrating with the team back home who I work and train with and my daughter will be very happy.
“I was anxious but calm but I was sort of expecting the other guys to kick me out there so this is a complete surprise and I think that’s the people want to see when an underdog wins so it’s great!
Chris, from Leicester and Gabby Adcock, from Leeds won their quarter final 2-0 against Australia:
CA: “I think it was quite level and then we stepped it up after the break and our speed went up and we stuck to our plan and we kept the momentum going after we broke their spirit after the first set, so we’re really happy.”
GA: “I think first round we have definitely built on and got stronger throughout. It was obviously a huge match today and so we knew the crowd would be against us so we didn’t want to give them a lead because we knew how much a crowd can lift you and we thought it was really important to stamp our authority and get on top of them early.”
Day 8 quotes from overnight
Robert Paxton from Taunton won his quarter final against Shannon MCIlroy from New Zealand in the Lawn Bowls. He said afterwards:
“To get past Shannon twice who is the current World champion, you don’t often do that especially on these greens and conditions, so it is pleasing.
“It’s given me a jolt after losing (to Nigeria) the other day and it’s back in my hands now so I have been able to relax and it’s been down to myself.
“Thankfully I kept up with him and in the middle part I managed to dominate the game really. I’ll go back and relax now after supporting the fours and come back tomorrow morning and go again.”
Liam Pitchford from Chesterfield and Tin-Tin Ho from London won their doubles table tennis match and said afterwards:
TT H: “I had chance to attack some of his (the male opponent of Aus) but rushed a bit on the second serve to try and kill it.
LP: “We improved our quality on the ball and we knew if we played to our level against them then they’d be under pressure and they came out and risked a lot of balls. But they made some of them, so they played quite well after they drew level. But at the end it was about putting more balls on the table with quality and I think we did that.”
Maria Tsaptsinos from Reading took part in the women’s doubles with Tin-Tin Ho as they won 3-0 against Vanuatu. She said afterwards:
“We’re all very positive from winning the bronze but this is different and we’re confident going in to it. We will always be looking to get in first and the tactics are just different so you have to use different tactics and set up depending on what their players are like so it’s a goof challenge.”
Ross Wilson, from Minster, won his singles para table tennis match. Afterwards he said:
“I was ok today. He’s the fourth player in my group so I knew I could do ok and I was confident going in to today, knowing I went in with an advantage. Those games are about getting the win and coming through the group really. I need to look at the results from the other group and see what’s up next.
Kim Daybell, from Sheffield, also won his first match in the para table tennis and said afterwards:
“I felt confident going in. I had two wins going in to this so playing against the number 4 in thr group. Every match you have to be focused and I was pleased I was able to go out and get win. I think most players will look to be positive and assertive and that’s what I will continue to do through the tournament. I have the semi’s up next and we (Ross and I) are 1 and 2 seeds so let’s see what happens.”
Nathan Douglas, from Oxford, qualified in a time of 16.27m and came 7th place in the men’s triple jump. He said:
“In qualifying, you can’t win anything but you can lose everything. So I’m just pleased to be safely through to the final. I just wanted to do the bare minimum to get through so I can give it everything in that final.
“I’m looking at that final and thinking I’m going to have to jump 17m plus to win a medal. There are a few in the field capable of doing that, as am I, so we’ll see what happens.
Solphie Tolchard and Natalie Chestney (from Torquay) lost their match but said:
“Obviously really disappointing but at the end of the day it’s ifs and buts looking back but their skip just turned it round but a real shame as we were leading most of the game. We can’t think about Birmingham yet, we’re just gutted at the moment and want to get over this. It was always close and we felt like we were in control but just lost it at the end.”
Speaking after their defeat to Australia in the SF by 16-13, Ellen Falkner (Wisbech), Katherine Rednall (Ipswich) and Sian Honour (Canterbury)
EF: “We’re obviously really disappointed with that, we fought our way back in to the game but unfortunately we couldn’t get back.
“The supporters have been great and they have really cheered us on but we just have to move on.
“We’ll be going out next in the Bronze medal match to take out our frustrations on whoever we play.”
KR: “It’s gutting when we did so well to get back to all square and gave ourselves a chance but we ran out of ends and they got what they needed to secure it. The experience out here has been fantastic and we’ve loved iyt out here on these greens, they’re the best in the world.
“We’ll have to make sure we put this behind us and move on and try and win the next match.”
SH: “Obviously very disappointed, you don’t come out here to get anything other than Gold but we go forward now to win the next game and get it out of our minds. We fought really hard just to stay in the game and we got to level so from that point f view it’s frustrating we couldn’t go on to win, but we’ll move on now and try and get that Bronze.
Evie Richards, from Worcester, won a silver in the women’s MTB and she said afterwards:
“I knew that I needed to get in the front to start with and hang in there as long as I could and it paved out well, I’m so pleased I held on until the end.
“I had no idea whether I could medal, I dreamed of getting a medal in these Commonwealth Games but I just didn’t think it was realistic really because I know how good Emily Batty (my team member) is and all the other girls and so I was worried I might not even make top ten, so to get a medal I am so, so happy.
“I didn’t want it to come down to a sprint finish or anything so I knew I needed to maintain that gap and you can see that with the placings further down in the race and so I just wanted to nail that gap and ride my own race really.
Annie Last, from Sheffield, who won Gold in the Women’s Mountain Biking said afterwards:
“I am really happy with the race. You never really know how it’s going to play out, but everything went to plan and I rode a smooth race without any big mistakes and I managed to position carefully so I’m delighted and it was great that Evie is second as well.
“There’s quite a bit of single track on this course so I wanted to be in a position where I was near the front at least with the potential that if you have gone in too far back that you weren’t too far back and out of contention.
“I stayed up there and by doing that it is easier to ride your own race and especially as there are so many steep sections, you don’t want to be closely packed where you might get stuck because of other riders, so I wanted to make sure I had the best chance by staying up there and it went to plan.
“Mountain Biking is about variation so those steep climbs and the downs make it really tough and especially by the time you’re on your last lap with the fatigue, it’s just that bit harder, but the course has everything and it’s what you want for Mountain Bike racing.
“Evie is still a young rider but she is super strong and she was always going to have a good ride because she’s a strong athlete. For me, it’s great to see so many English and British riders right up there. We’re at the front of World level racing now and we’re pushing each other on, but when you’re on your own it’s tough, so it’s really good for the sport.”
Alicia Barrett from Chesterfield finished 4th place in 13.19 in her 100m hurdles heat.
She said: “It wasn’t too bad. It was a bit messy but I tried to be aggressive from the gun. But I’m really pleased to run that time so early.
“I’m really proud to make the final and get a chance to represent England again; the experience has been a great one so far so I’ll go out in that final and enjoy it as I have no pressure on me.”
Tiffany Porter, who trains in Essex, came in 3rd in a time of 12.99 and said:
“At this point, I’m pleased to confirm my place in the final. The time isn’t really what I’m focusing on, the objective was simply to get through to the next round and I’m excited to race in another Commonwealth Games final.”
Jack Laugher, from Leeds, who qualified for the final of the 3m Men’s springboard said to BBC Sport afterwards:
“It’s tough conditions out there and I wasn’t the only one to drop. It’s good preparation though to be fair but I had to bite the bullet. It’s hard to drop like that and come back but I think I finished well and the first half of my lifts were good and I was really happy with that but it was just that one dive that was in the position of the sun, bad foot shape and it all just went downhill so I will try and improve on that for the final.
“We often don’t compete outdoors in major finals usually but day to day through the years, last year, I didn’t compete outdoors and it is difficult to get used to. The way the pool is and the shadows it creates and everything is very blue and it’s lovely worth the sun but it’s just difficult conditions. It’s a lovely place and I’m really happy to be here but it’s harder for everyone, so I am looking forward to tonight where it’s floodlit and black skies.”
Three English athletes competed in the women’s 800m heats:
Heat 1: Alex Bell from Leeds finished 2nd place in her heat with a time of 2:00.11 smashing her PB. She said:
“I’m absolutely delighted to have a guaranteed place in the final. With 150m to go I felt really strong so I just tried to stay as close to the leaders as possible and drove through to the line. I could not believe it when I looked at the board! And to see a PB next to my name as well was amazing.
It has exceeded all of my expectations. I haven’t run a PB in over two years; I knew it was coming but to do it here like that is fantastic.”
Heat 2: Shelayna Oskan-Clarke from Southwark came 3rd place in 2:00.81 but did not qualify for the final.
“I’m really disappointed; I’ll need to watch it back to analyse it with my coach.”
Adelle Tracey, from London, finished 6th place in her heat in a time of 2:02.03 and did not qualify for the final, saying:
“I left it all out on the track but that wasn’t enough. I’ll go back to the drawing board and look towards future championships.”
In the men’s T12 100m, Zac Shaw from Grimsby finished 3rd place in his heat with a time of 11.58 and did not qualify for the final.
“I didn’t execute my race well and that reflected upon my time. I don’t really know what went wrong, maybe I just wasn’t patient enough with my drive phase. I need to watch it back and analyse it.”
I’m proud to be competing at my first multi-sport Games. The experience has been beneficial and hopefully it will set me up well for Tokyo 2020. I’ve got plenty to work upon but I’ve learned a lot from it.”
Rachel Wallader from Stourbridge threw 17.20m in the shot put qualification, and said afterwards:
“Ideally I would have got it done on the first throw but it just took a couple to get it going. But overall I’m happy with that.
“I’m in the final and there are a lot of girls throwing around a similar level so it will be fascinating. Myself and Sophie (McKinna) both have our eyes set on throwing plus 18m so we will see what happens.
“In the last two weeks I’ve had my best sessions in about two years. I’m feeling really positive ahead of the final.”
Amelia Strickler, who trains in Thames Valley, threw 16.57m in the qualification. She said:
“I got through. Don’t ask me about the first one. I’m thrilled; it’s what everyone wants to come out and do, get auto qualifying and be done, so I’m delighted to have made the final.
“I didn’t expect it. I was thrilled to hit it and my reaction said it all. I’m excited for the final and having three English girls in the final, it’s great for shot put in England right now.”
Sophie McKinna, threw 17.24m in qualification and said afterwards:
“It’s absolutely amazing. 16.50m should’ve been within my realms, but I didn’t expect to throw 17.24m. I hoped to plop it over, so it is a great start and it gives me a lot of confidence heading into the final.
“It’s even better that all three of us made it. It’s good to have three English people in the final, it’s good to have representation. I’m really, really pleased.”
Lois Touslon, from Huddersfield, qualified for her 10m platform final in the diving, said afterwards:
“With it being outside it changes dramatically through the competition but we did pretty well considering.
“Definitely more confident but I am still really nervous but I am just going out to do my best. I want to continue as I did this afternoon in the final but there’s definitely still bits that I can work on.
Jess Pugh from Telford after her Badminton doubles win with team mate Chloe Birch said:
“Yeah I am pretty happy to get a win and some confidence under my belt. We got a by in the first round and we complement each other’s styles quite well and her attacking and my net play works well together in here.
“It’s the quarter finals against the Malaysians which would be a really hard game as they are the top pair and we definitely believe that we can win that game if we play our best.”
Frazer Clacherty finished fifth in the men’s cross-country and the Middlesbrough-born mountain cyclist said:
“I am pretty happy to finish in top five. I got caught up with someone at the start, and then the front guys got away so I just had to race my own race.
“It was a tough course. It’s a lot different racing than it is training. One more lap and I would have been finished I think.
“The build-up to the Games has been good, it’s been tough as I haven’t had too many race ahead of this, and I was nervous on the start, just with the pressure, but was good when I got going and the crowd was brilliant too, so much support.”
Lauren Smith (Carlisle) and Marcus Ellis (Huddersfield), spoke after their mixed doubles victory:
Smith said: “We didn’t play as we would have like to have played in that game, and maybe sat back a bit and let them play to their strengths a bit and we had to set our authority as the game went on. Happy to have won and come through it in two sets, but definitely some work to do ahead of that.
Ellis said: “I believe we are going to have a re-match against Singapore, a against a guy I played in the team event in a really close game. It’s going to be a tough one and we are going to have to play at our best if we want to win.”
The men’s Para triples Lawn Bowls team lost 16-13 to South Africa in the bronze medal match. Michael Robertson (Peterborough), Paul Brown (Bristol) and Kieran Rollings (Kettering) said:
Robertson said: “I was expecting a tough game, we played them in a couple of practice games ahead of the competition and they were tight as well so it was never going to be easy. It was always going to be tight.
Brown said: “Our plan was to come out strong and put the pressure on. The conditions have been quick, and it took us a while to gel. But we were battling, and we were amongst it. We stuck with it and didn’t give up.”
Rollings said: “It’s very disappointing but the game goes the way the game goes. Unfortunately we came away with a loss but fair play to the South Africans, they came out on top and deserved the win.”
You can keep on top of today’s action at www.teamengland.org with Team England’s daily medal tracker and regular website updates.
