Commonwealth Games 2026, Morning Session, Monday July 27: And we’re off. Team England’s Games is under way!

A solid start from Team England saw eight progress to the next rounds, led by Sam Bennett’s fabulous 110m hurdle victory, easily the stand-out performance on the first morning of the athletics programme. More than 1000 athletes will take part over the next six days in twelve sessions in a truly diverse competition.

Monday morning’s highlights

• Qualifying for the men’s 100m headed by a 10.00 clocking
• Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle qualifies with 8.10 in the ln the jump
• England leads the way in the men’s 110 hurdles with 13.20
• Sophie Hahn heads to the T38 final 100m as hot favourite to win

Men’s 100m Round 1

A last-minute call-up for England’s Elliot Jones (Leon Baptiste, Liverpool Pembroke) barely 20 hours before the heats were due to start didn’t cause him any problems. He powered to a 10.07w victory in heat 11 glancing to his right as he crossed the line. He has a windy sub 10 to his name (9.93w) and a legal 10.09 this season so was understandably at ease in what otherwise could have been a stressful situation.

“It didn’t feel the cleanest run, but I’m happy with the time and getting through; happy with the speed. It was the fastest of the year, but I know there’s a lot that can be corrected in the execution,” he said after the race. “I was delighted to make the cut for the relay squad but now to get the chance to represent England at a major Championships individually is incredible. Our sport is such fine margins and you have to be ready in case the chance comes along.”

The blustery, cool, damp conditions did little to slow the sprinters in what is going to be a super-competitive final tomorrow. In the fifth heat, Benjamin Azamati from Ghana flew to 10.00 looking like he had plenty in reserve, while seven in total clocked 10.10 or faster… and that’s without the seeded athletes who will join the competition later.

Men's 110m Hurdles Round 1

A magnificent win in the very first heat for England’s Sam Bennett (Steven Surety, Basildon) set the bar high for the field as a whole. The 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games champion crossed the line in a stunning – but slightly windy at +2.1 – 13.20, which would have been a lifetime best by a whopping 0.21sec. Easily his best run ever, in a tick over 13 seconds he suddenly established himself as a medal contender. “It was a little bit windy,” he confirmed. “I could feel the wind over the sponsors’ boards and so you never know what’s going to happen in the hurdles. But I felt like it was a clean race and I’m happy with it. “Representing England is a blessing. It doesn't get any more special than being on an international stage. It's really exciting to be so close to home this year,” he added.

His teammate and Olympian Tade Ojora (Joanna Hayes, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow) started quickly but hit four or five hurdles and lost momentum. But with three through automatically, his 13.48 was more than enough. “I’m happy to be through to the final; I need to make a few changes but I’m looking forward to it,” he told England Athletics in the mixed zone.

Women's 100m Round 1

No stranger to major competition, Mabel Akande (Denise Timmis, Lincoln Wellington) made light work of her first race despite being one of those who were added to the team late. The European Under-20 silver medallist last year shut down early on her way to 11.32 to cross the line first.

“What an experience. This is my first Commonwealth Games. Wow it was amazing,” she said afterwards at the warm-up track. “Just being in the stadium was incredible. When I got the call up, I did shed a few tears. I was never expecting it. I had to get myself into that mindset quickly with my coach and physio. A big shout-out to my club, Lincoln Wellington. They are amazing. They’re like a family.”

In the sixth heat, Imani Lansiquot (Marco Airale, Sutton and District) looked even more relaxed. She barely touched the accelerator beyond her first, powerful 30 metres on her way to 11.04w, fully 0.31sec clear of second place. “I’m very pleased with that. It’s my first competition after two years with injury so I’m really excited to see how it’s gone this morning,” she said. “You realise there are no limits, I’m here to have fun.” Their teammate Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Assindustria Sport Ita) enjoyed a bye to the next round as one of the fastest eight seeded athletes.

Women's Hammer Throw Qualifying Round

Charlotte Payne (Ian Payne, Newbury) has been working on her early throws this season as the first 12 from the two pools advance to the finals. After winning England Champs in Bedford earlier this month she explained how useful it can be to get close to the auto mark of 70 metres early on as athletes are only allowed three throws. Her 63.30 was a little shy of what she had hoped for, but she followed it with 66.72 which sealed the deal as it moved her from ninth to fourth. US-based Tara Simpson-Sullivan (Wigan and District) had to settle for 60.43.

Women's T37/38 100m Round 1

The first heat featured England’s Sophie Hahn, T38 (Joseph McDonnell, Charnwood). She’s the multiple Paralympic and Commonwealth champion. Given her record – she’s the world record holder with 12.38 – it was no surprise to see the ‘pocket rocket’ fly to an untroubled 12.75 and Monday evening’s final. Maddie Down, T38 (Mike Bennett, Halesowen) had to work a little harder, but she too made it to the final, finishing third in her heat in 13.10.

Home countries athletes making the headlines

The Isle of Man’s Regan Corrin (Emma Lowry, Manx), winner of the England U20 high jump title in Sheffield this winter jumped a massive 7.84w in the long jump to qualify for the final. Scotland’s Stephen Mackenzie (John Scott, Edinburgh) also made the final with 7.75.

In the 100 metres, Jersey’s Jamie Oldham (Rebecca Orpin, Jersey Spartan), also a regular at the England Champs ran a personal best of 10.41 in the fifth heat to finish second but just missed out on progressing. However, Welshman and World Indoor 60m champion Jeremiah Azu (Helen James, Cardiff), no stranger to England Championships – he won the U17 indoor title over 60 metres in 2019 – comfortably cruised to a 10.10 win. He was first out of the blocks and was never headed, easing back in the final 10 metres.

In the women’s T38 100m, Wales’s Olivia Breen (Aston Moore, City of Portsmouth) made it through to the final thanks to equalling her season’s best with 13.05.