Canada’s Gymnastics Success
Canadian gymnasts have achieved significant success at the Commonwealth Games, securing multiple medals. Among the gold medalists are Lia-Monica Fontaine, Jordan Carroll, and Félix Dolci. These athletes contributed to Canada’s overall medal count, with the team accumulating six gymnastics medals on Monday.
Fontaine, a 16-year-old from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Que., earned a gold medal in the women’s vault with a score of 14.000. This victory marked her third medal of the Games, following a bronze in the all-around final and a silver in the women’s team event. She outperformed England’s Abigail Martin, who scored 13.799, and Wales’ Abigail Roper, who had 13.433.
Carroll, a 20-year-old from Saskatoon, claimed the men’s pommel horse title. His score of 15.000 placed him ahead of Scotland’s Reuben Ward, who scored 14.966, and Cameron Lynn, with 13.833.
Dolci, a 24-year-old from Laval, Que., added to Canada’s gold medal haul by winning the men’s rings final. He achieved a score of 13.766, securing his third medal of the Games. This win resulted in a one-two finish for Canada, with fellow Laval native William Émard taking silver with 13.600. Australia’s James Hardy earned bronze with 13.500.
Additional Medalists and Team Performances
Veteran Canadian gymnast Ellie Black of Halifax secured a silver medal in the women’s uneven bars. This followed her achievement of winning her second career Commonwealth Games all-around title the previous day. René Cournoyer of Repentigny, Que., also earned a silver medal in the men’s floor exercise.
In other events, weightlifter Rebeka Groulx of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Que., won a bronze medal in the women’s 53-kilogram event.
On Sunday, Black 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 earned a bronze medal in her Commonwealth Games debut with a score of 52.800 in the all-around competition.
Félix Dolci also secured a silver medal in the men’s gymnastics all-around final on Sunday, marking his second medal of the competition. He scored 79.450, narrowly missing gold to Reuben Ward of Scotland. Australia’s Jesse Moore took bronze with 79.000. Dolci had previously helped Canada win gold in the men’s team event on Friday, where he topped the individual standings with a score of 81.650. Canada also secured silver in the women’s gymnastics team event on Saturday.
Swimming Achievements and Wheelchair Basketball
In swimming, Toronto swimmer Joshua Liendo earned a gold medal on Sunday. He successfully defended his men’s 100-metre butterfly title, setting a meet record of 50.42 seconds. He edged out Australia’s Matthew Temple, who finished in 50.43, and Ben Armbruster, with 50.58.
The 23-year-old Liendo repeated as Commonwealth champion, having won gold in 2022 and later an Olympic silver medal in the event at the 2024 Paris Games. He narrowly missed a second medal, finishing fourth in the 50-metre freestyle with a time of 21.55 seconds.
Five-time Olympic medallist Kylie Masse, a 31-year-old from LaSalle, Ont., secured a silver medal in the women’s 100-metre backstroke. This marked her 10th career Commonwealth Games medal, making her the Canadian female swimmer with the most medals. She finished in 58.77 seconds behind Australia’s Iona Alexandra Anderson.
As of Sunday, Canada had accumulated nine medals at the Games: three gold, three silver, and three bronze. The Commonwealth Games, featuring 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories, are scheduled to continue through August 2.
In wheelchair basketball, both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams experienced losses to England on Sunday, bringing their play records to 1-1. The women’s team lost 15-12, with flag-bearer Kady Dandeneau scoring 11 points. The men’s team subsequently lost 20-10. Both teams are scheduled to play against Australia on Monday.
Source: theglobeandmail.com
