Jayden Lawrence grips on for Australia’s first wrestling medal in 12 years
Jayden Lawrence in the bronze match against South Africa's Edward Lessing. Photo: Getty
Qualified cabinet maker Jayden Lawrence has edged a classic battle for bronze to end Australia’s 12-year wrestling medal drought at the Commonwealth Games.
The 27-year-old had to hold on to his young South African opponent Edward Lessing’s leg for grim life in the denouement to the Friday’s bronze-medal bout in the 86kg freestyle event at the Coventry Arena simply to cling on to his 12-11 triumph.
After winning, Lawrence, in his third Games, lay exhausted on the mat, head in hands as he celebrated becoming the first Aussie male wrestler to win a Games medal since Delhi 2010 when Ivan Popov won gold in the men’s 120kg Greco Roman event.
Amazingly, he won the match despite having an injured knee after tearing an ACL.
“In five minutes I will not be able to walk,” he said.
Jayden Lawrence celebrates bronze. Photo: Getty
Australia bagged a swag more medals on day eight in Birmingham with performances in the diving pool and gymnastics floor.
Gymnast Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva won bronze in the individual all-around to land Australia a second rhythmic gymnastics medal.
Aussie diver Brittany O’Brien surged her way into the silver medal of the women’s 1m springboard.
And Divers Sam Fricker and Shixin Li combined for a surprise bronze in the three-metre synchronised springboard final.
Day nine of the Games promises more action in track and field including the women’s shot put final (Julie Charlton), women’s 10000m walk final (Jemima Montag, Katie Hayward, Rebecca Henderson), men’s 3000m steeplechase final (Ben Buckingham, Edward Trippas), men’s 1500m final (Oliver Hoare), women’s hammer throw final (Alex Hulley), men’s pole vault final (Kurtis Marschall, Angus Armstrong), women’s 800m final (Catriona Bisset), men’s 5000m final (Matthew Ramsden, Ky Robinson, Jack Rayner).
There’s also boxing, diving, cricket (Australia v New Zealand semi), hockey (Australia v England men’s semi), netball (Australia v England semi) and wrestling.
Catch up on all the action for the Commonwealth Games Australia Team from a busy Day 8 of @birminghamcg22! #BoldInGold https://t.co/JjiVEZ6YKe
— Commonwealth Games Australia (@CommGamesAUS) August 5, 2022
High jump heartache
Australia’s Nicola Olyslagers will miss out on what would have been a thrilling final. Photo: Getty
Nicola Olyslagers has pulled out of Saturday’s Commonwealth women’s high jump final with a torn calf muscle.
It ends the prospect of a thrilling head-to-head battle with fellow Australian Eleanor Patterson.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist only needed one jump in Thursday’s qualifying round to book her spot in the final.
Afterwards, Olyslagers was diagnosed with the inury to her right calf muscle.
“It’s both disappointing and devastating not to be able to compete in the women’s high jump final,” the 25-year-old Olyslagers said in a statement.
“What was thought to be a tight calf after my qualifying round turned out to be a torn muscle in my jumping leg.
“Of all the emotions and shock I could feel in the moment, I still have peace.
“Winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games four years ago allowed my professional career as a high jumper to begin, it was a competition that changed the trajectory of my life.
“My prayer is that someone else’s dream comes alive tomorrow as I cheer them on from the sidelines.
“Let’s go cheer Eleanor on as she jumps for Australia so well out there.”
Newly minted world champion Patterson will now be the unbackable favourite to win a second Commonwealth title, having previously claimed gold as a teenager at the 2014 Glasgow Games.
The final is at 1017 local time (1917 AEST) on Saturday.