FIVE GOLD AS THE BAHAMAS 2017 COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES COME TO A CLOSE
The sun has set on The Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, but not before Australia claimed a swag of 11 medals including five gold on the final day of competition.
Boxer Ella Boot claimed gold in the girls 60kg division in a split decision, while Josh Fitzpatrick (56kgs) and Jake Clague (60kgs) both claimed silver after strong campaigns in the ring.
The girls and boys cycling road races had an early start and after winning the time trial on day one of competition, Madeleine Fasnacht had her sights set on another strong showing, along with teammate Emily Mascaro.
The sole Tasmanian in the 75-strong Australian team. Fasnacht stayed with the leading pack throughout but was just outsprinted in the home stretch to clock in the narrowest of the thirds and claim a bronze medal. Mascaro clocked in 11th.
Australia’s athletics team ensured the final day was a memorable one, claiming four gold, silver and a bronze medal.
Rising track star Riley Day added gold to her silver earlier in the meet with a dominant win in the girls 200m. Day, 17, from Beaudesert clocked 23.42 into a head wind, while teammate and fellow Queenslander Ella Connolly claimed bronze in 24.03.
That duo would each add gold to their haul when the taking out the 4x100m mixed relay, alongside Jake Doran and Ben Schmidtchen, clocking in at 43.19, ahead of Jamaica’s 43.62.
Australia’s golden run in the field events continued with Neil Janse claiming gold in the boys javelin with a throw of 74.19, nearly five metres ahead of his next rival. Teammate Oscar Sullivan claimed bronze with his 66.23 metre effort.
Emily Whelan attempted to make it a golden high jump double for Australia but fell just short, walking away with silver at a height of 1.79m.
Australia’s 4x400m mixed relay team featuring Bendere Oboya, Carley Thomas, Sebastien Moir and Jordan Doris were made to wait following several protests, but were ultimately declared winners of final event of the Games.
Australia’s 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games team will depart The Bahamas, having won gold in each of the seven sports contested – judo, boxing, cycling, athletics, swimming, beach volleyball and rugby 7s.
Following her impressive campaign which yielded gold in the time trial and bronze in the road race, cyclist Madeleine Fasnacht was named Australian flag bearer for the closing ceremony.
