Commonwealth Games 2026, Evening Session, Wednesday July 29: Sensational silvers
The Heptathlon came to a dramatic end with Team England’s three athletes fighting it out for the medals all the way to the last stride of the 800 metres. And that was just the start! The crowd was treated to a Games’ record, a world record not to mention plenty of drama all evening.
Wednesday evening’s highlights
- World record in the F42-44/F61-64 women’s discus
- Three silvers for Team England
- Games record in the women’s steeplechase
- Games record in the men’s T47 100
Women's Heptathlon
There’s always questions when the field lines up for the 800 metres. Most don’t run it too often so it’s difficult to predict just how it will go. Stats don’t tell you too much. It’s all about how you feel on the day. However, the bottom line was Jade O’Dowda (John Lane, Newham and Essex Beagles) had to run about 18 seconds faster than Northern Ireland’s Kate O’Connor (Newry) to win or lose nine seconds to lose her grip on the silver. In the end, O’Connor powered away in the final few strides to win that event as well as overall with 2:10.45 and 6569pts.
O’Dowda clocked 2:12.73 for second overall and 6278pts. But the real question was could Ellen Barber (John Lane, Wells City) haul back six seconds to get her into the bronze medal position? She gave it a good go, but it wasn’t to be, and she came up 54 points shy with 2:12.29 and 6050. Close.
Behind her, Niamh Emerson (Aston Moore, Newham and Essex Beagles) ran a great 2:11.37 to haul herself up to sixth and beyond 6000pts with 6002.
“To be honest, it’s been a bit weird over the past couple of days. The Scottish weather is hilarious. But actually that was the best shot competition I’ve ever had despite the rain,” said Emerson.
“It’s about recovery now as I have the Europeans in a couple of weeks. This has given me confidence to push Kate. After day one I was the closest I’ve ever been to her, but she moved away a bit today.”
In fourth, Barber understandably was both disappointed and happy. “It was bitter-sweet, but overall I’m happy with my performances. My two favourite events were the hurdles where I did a massive personal best and the long jump,” she said. Out with injury for years and a late developer she had these simple words of advice: “Never give up.”
Women's 3000m Steeplechase Final
With two laps to run, Team England’s Elise Thorner (Helen Clitheroe, Wells City) was looking good for a bronze medal, but anything else looked impossible. Then Thorner realised that the leaders weren’t getting any further away; in fact they’re getting closer. She put her head down and went for it. The splits confirm that. She clocked 3:00, 3:09 and then an amazing 2:56 for her three kilometres. With finishing speed like that, it was no surprise that in the space of 50 metres she looked like perhaps, just perhaps she would catch them. And if Kenya’s Faith Cherotich hadn’t realised what was happening, she would have. However, the Kenyan kicked hard and opened up a comfortable gap to secure the gold with 9:01.76. On the other hand, Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai had nothing left and Thorner flew by her to take the silver medal in a stunning 9:05.54
“I just felt really good so I should give it everything I had. It’s just crazy. I knew I could do it, but you never know what you’ve got. I hope there’s more to come,” said Thorner, clearly stunned at what she’d just achieved: a silver with a time that was 10 seconds faster than the old record.
Men's 100m T47 Final
Team England’s Kevin Santos, T47 (Michael Utting, City of Norwich) just lost a bit of momentum at around 70 metres which meant he went from first to third in the space of two strides. He started to over-rotate and lost valuable drive, but as a judo player, he’s new to this event and without question there’s much more to come. Nevertheless, he ran a superb 10.85 and it looks good for LA and the Olympics where he’ll undoubtedly be a contender. Ahead of him, India’s Dilip Gavit ran a Games’ record of 10.71.
“I came here for the gold and to come away with the bronze isn’t what I wanted,” said a very disappointed Santos. “But I’m happy I have medalled. I think I could have run the Games’ record. I lost it at about 70 metres because I have had a few injuries in the last month. I’ve had to have MRI scans to see what’s up with me.”
Women's 800m Semi-Finals
Georgia Hunter-Bell (Trevor Painter, Belgrave H) had time to look at the big screen to see how her rivals were faring with her surge over the final 200 metres. She eased into the final with 1:59.88 and will definitely be the one to watch.
“Do you know what, it’s a pleasure watching Georgia run. I don’t get nervous when she smiles, and I know she’s really composed if she puts her hands in the air. I know then she’s in great shape,” said co-coach Jenny Meadows
“You put all your hopes and dreams in your own career, but I didn’t always enjoy the journey. But I’m older and wiser now so hopefully that helps my athletes. I just hope they’re happy when they walk off the track.”
Women's Discus Throw F42-44/F61-64 Final
This event was all two records: the first was a Games’ record of 38.52 by Wales’s Funmi Oduwaiye (Cardiff), F44 and the next was a World record of 39.66 by Nigeria’s Goodness Nwachukwu. In this mixed category event, it’s not always the longest throw that wins as a Raza points* system is used to calculate what is a better performance. However, the defending champion ticked all the boxes and scored the most points with the longest throw. Team England’s Didi Okoh, F42 (Tony Hadley Birchfield) was sixth with 25.51.
“I’m okay. I had a bit of a panic attack” Okoh said, explaining how she cramped up after a misunderstanding left her standing in the cold for too long. “But I loved it. It’s kind of a home games. I loved the atmosphere. There was a world record and I sat there watching it. Amazing.”
Teammate Bebe Jackson, F44 (Alan James, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) finished ninth with 25.87.
"I’m pretty gutted but I went out there to gain the experience. Yes, I have tears, but I also have a smile."
Women's 1500m T54 Final
Chaos; drama; heartbreak. All three words – and plenty more – perfectly describe the final of this race. With barely 150 metres gone, two chairs collided sending athletes sprawling on the track. In an instant it turned to a two-athlete race with the crowd’s favourite, Scotland’s Melanie Woods (Roger Harkins, Red Star), T54 leading. She seized the opportunity perfectly and powered away over the final lap to win in a Games’ Record of 3:33.39, while Team England’s Ellis Kottas, T54 (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer) got herself going again and wheeled in for the provisional silver (there is an on-going appeal) in 4:22.07.
“Emotion is very high. It’s an incredible feeling. The race was like a domino effect and it was all about survival. I stayed upright and managed to keep going. I thought they’d re-do the race, but my coach said go for it, so I just locked in from that moment.,” said Kottas.
“I’m part of Weir Archer, founded by the legendary David Weir – a great role model. The club has helped me train and learn drafting.”
Men's Discus Throw F42-44/F61-64 Final
Team England’s Dan Greaves, F44 (Zane Duquemin, Charnwood) left this competition with some unusual numbers. In this multi category discipline that is scored using Raza points he found his Games record of 54.83 was good enough for no more than fourth place. In a competition that saw the lead change hands several times, Akeem Stewart also threw a Games record with 56.82 but he too had to be happy with no more than a bronze medal. That’s because shot world record holder, Aled Davies, F42 (Dale Stevenson, Cardiff) from Wales won with 48.38, a far superior throw from a points point of view.
“To put it together here is what it’s all about. I love it. You don’t get many opportunities so it’s great to compete. I wanted to make sure I enjoyed it. I have a great group of friends here, so it was amazing,” said Davies. “This was my best performance of the year when it mattered.”
“I’ve got to be happy, I guess. That was my second fourth place, but I wanted so much more,” said Greaves. “There was a big throw in there, but it didn’t show up. The support back home has been amazing. Representing England has been so special. I lost my mum in March, so I wanted to do her proud and get a medal a for her. Hopefully she’s looking down with a smile on her face and be proud of her son.”
Men's 400m Hurdles Round 1
A fabulous 48.74 out of lane one was more than enough for Team England’s Seamus Derbyshire (Alex O’Gorman, City of Stoke). Running a controlled 14 strides to seven before checking down, he was never headed and looked full of running.
“I was kind of surprised with that. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t realise that I was travelling that quick. I definitely my last few weeks came into the Champs and didn’t do too many races and put all my eggs in the Commonwealth basket,” Derbyshire laughed.
Jake Minshull (James Wright, Coventry Godiva) was second in his race, but clocked just about the same time as his teammate with 48.88.
“I’ve got some consistent form and it was all about making it to the final,” which I have done,” said Minshull. “Finally I’ve got a senior vest at the top, top Games so that’s really important for me. I’ve always competed for Coventry and they’ve always helped me.”
Josh Faulds (James Wright, Rugby and Northampton) placed third with a time of 49.71 which was 0.05sec too slow to advance, and he was then disqualified.
Home countries athletes making the headlines
Wales’s Funmi Oduwaiye (Cardiff), F44 threw a Games’ Record in the first round of the women’s F42-44/F61-64 final. But her Nigerian rival responded with a world record and she had to settle for silver. Teammate and clubmate Bree Cronin (Cardiff), F44 took the bronze medal with 36.00 for a Welsh two-three.
And then Aled Davies, F42 went one better in the men’s F42-44/F61-64 final to win the gold medal with 48.38.
Scotland’s Steven MacKenzie (John Scott, Edinburgh) picked up a bronze medal in the men’s long jump with 8.08 with his opening jump.
*Raza points refer to the World Para Athletics (WPA) point score system, a mathematical formula used to compare and rank athletes with different disability classifications competing against each other in combined track and field events.
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