Australia has hit a landmark milestone, with the Australian Diamonds winning the nation’s 1,000th gold medal at the Commonwealth Games becoming the first nation to achieve the feat at the Games.
Australia has won its 1000th Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham tonight with the Diamonds clinching an extraordinary gold medal victory against Jamaica at the NEC Stadium – a memorable gold medal moment that will go down in the annals of a proud Games history.
The Diamonds dominated early and then again in the third quarter, before running out victors 55-51 in front of 8000 screaming fans, the girls determined to reverse their shock loss to the Sunshine Girls in the final round game – winning a fourth Commonwealth title.
And it was a physical gold medal match-up, with the Australians standing tall in the face of the determined Jamaicans, mounting final quarter pressure before holding on to win a gripping match.
Australia started out Day 10 on 59 gold medals – needing seven gold to reach the magical milestone and another golden day started with beach volleyball pair Chris McHugh and Paul Burnett snatching a thrilling third and deciding set over Canada that reached 19-all before the Aussies claimed victory.
Then at Alexander Stadium Kelsey Lee Barber added Commonwealth gold to her second World Championship victory in the US last month, with teammate Mackenzie Little taking silver.
While at the pool it was Cassiel Rousseau in the 10m platform who scored the only 10 of the competition in his final dive, winning gold with a score of 103.60 in his final dive taking him to a total of 501.30, followed by Madison Keeney who won diving’s third gold on three-metre springboard.
All the while, cycling’s rising star Georgia Baker, who won two gold medals on the track in London, made it three with a stirring victory in the women’s road race before the Australian Women claimed a final over victory to take gold against India in a determined T20 cricket final.
The 2022 Australian Team Chef de Mission Petria Thomas said Birmingham was a momentous occasion for Australia and the Games.
“Australia has a long and proud sporting history, with this 1,000th gold medal cementing our spot at the top of the Commonwealth table,” Thomas who contributed nine of those gold medals herself in a stellar career over three Games.
“On behalf of the whole team, I congratulate the Diamonds in bringing home this significant medal in our amazing history and all those who have stood atop the podium at this year’s Games and all the Games, dating back to Hamilton in 1930.
“It is an honour to lead this team and watch our Aussies shine both on and off the field. I am so proud of each and every athlete, coach and our hard working support staff who have contributed to our extraordinary Games record.”
Australia’s dominance at the “friendly games” began in 1930, with the hosting of the inaugural Games in the Canadian city of Hamilton. Then called the British Empire Games, Australia took home eight medals, finishing fifth on the medal tally, three of them gold.
Flagbearer and rowing legend Henry “Bobby” Pearce won the single sculls gold medal and swimming sensation Noel “Tiger” Ryan won the 400 and 1500 yards freestyle.
Swimmer Clare Dennis then made history in London in 1934, becoming Australia’s first female Games gold medallist when she won the 200-yard breaststroke. Australia finished third in the gold medal tally and fifth overall at these Games.
It was when Australia hosted the Games for the first time in Sydney in 1938 that it’s sporting prowess became undeniable. Australia topped the tally for most gold and most medals overall, with Decima Norman winning five gold medals in athletics (100-yard, 200-yard, 4 x 440-yard relay, 660-yard relay, high jump and long jump).
Australia won its most gold medals at the Victoria 1994 Games in Canada, with 87 – 25 won in swimming while rhythmic gymnast Kasumi Takahashi single-handedly won five golds and our weightlifters grabbed 14. However, these Games are also remembered for Cathy Freeman’s breakthrough gold medal in the 200 and 400 metres and subsequent celebrations with the Aboriginal and Australian flags.
Across all Games, swimming has delivered the most gold medals for Australia, with a total of 307 before Birmingham. Athletics and cycling are the next most successful Australian Games sports, with 196 and 110 gold medals respectively.
Earlier this week Emma McKeon alongside the Australian swim team won another 25 gold and a total of 65 medals with McKeon becoming the most decorated Games athlete ever, with a record number of 14 gold medals and 20 career medals.
This record surpasses fellow legends of the pool Ian Thorpe (10), Leisel Jones (10) and Susie O’Neill (10). Phillips Adams (shooting) previously held the record for most medals with a total of 18 (seven gold, nine silver and two bronze).
You can watch the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games live and free on Seven, 7Plus and 7Mate.
