The Campbell sisters delivered another 1-2 finish for Australia at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, but this time it was Bronte who upstaged Cate in a spectacular women’s 100m freestyle final.

The 23-year-old Bronte – who said her injury-ravaged body was being held together by “sticky tape and physio” – finally turned the tables at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre on Monday, surging home to land the gold medal in a Commonwealth Games record of 52.27 seconds.

Cate appeared set for victory going into the final 50 metres before Bronte, then in the bronze medal position, surged past Canadian Taylor Ruck and her older sister to claim gold in the final seconds of the race.

The line out of the Campbell camp has always been that if there was anyone you wanted to finish second behind, it was your sister – words Bronte has uttered countless times over the years.

“That was incredibly surprising. I don’t know how that happened but I am glad I did it. I definitely didn’t think I was going to go that quick,” she told the Seven Network.

“I was feeling good and hoping to sneak under 53 [seconds] but that is incredible.”

Cate, who entered the race as a raging-hot favourite after setting her sights on redemption following her Rio Olympics failure, acknowledged that “it is never easy being second”.

“I am so thrilled for Bronte to get a massive win in front of a home crowd. It is never easy being the second Campbell and she is No.1 now and I am thrilled for her,” she said.

“It makes the pain of coming second just that little bit sweeter when the No.1 is next to a Campbell.”

https://twitter.com/7CommGames/status/983311953719275522

Also on the penultimate night of swimming competition, Mitch Larkin led an Australian clean sweep in the men’s 200m backstroke to complete an incredible treble, adding to his titles in the 50m and 100m.

Teammates Bradley Woodward and Josh Beaver also finished on the podium.

Meanwhile, Ariarne Titmus’ star continues to rise after she edged fellow Aussies Jessica Ashwood and Kiah Melverton to win the women’s 800m freestyle in 8:20.02, while the other gold in the pool for the host nation came in the men’s S7 50m freestyle, won by Matthew Levy.

Bradley Woodward, Laura Taylor (women’s 200m butterfly) and Paige Leonhardt (women’s SB9 100m breaststroke) all won silver medals.

The upsets continue

Elsewhere on Monday, Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake was sensationally beaten in the final of the men’s 100m sprint.

It was meant to be Blake’s night, the man who has lived in the shadow of compatriot and friend Usain Bolt.

But with the sprint legend finally retired, Blake – the second-fastest man ever over 100m and 200m – was the hot favourite to win the blue riband event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

So it came as somewhat of a surprise to see him usurped by South African pair Akani Simbine (10.03 seconds) and Henricho Bruintjies (10.17).

Blake had to settle for third in a dramatic bunch finish that left a big crowd at Carrara Stadium stunned.

“For me this is probably my best achievement so far,” Simbine said.

“I placed fifth at the Olympics, fifth at the World Championships, but this is my first international title.”

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago flagbearer Michelle-Lee Ahye created history in the women’s 100m sprint.

Ahye became the first woman from her nation to win a medal of any colour in a track and field event at the Games, completing victory in 11.14 seconds.

Jamaican pair Christania Williams (11.21) and Gayon Evans (11.22) flashed home late but Ahye held on for a popular victory.

There was some joy for local fans on the track as Evan O’Hanlon bolted in to win the men’s T38 100m final in 11.08 seconds.

O’Hanlon’s gold was one of eight Australia won on Monday, with another four coming in the pool.

Lawn bowls and gymnastics glory

Australia also won gold in the women’s fours lawn bowls on Monday, with Natasha Scott’s side edging South Africa 18-16.

Australia led 9-3 but then trailed 10-9 before steadying to win a classic encounter.

Joining Scott in picking up gold was Carla Krizanic, Rebecca Van Asch and Kelsey Cottrell.

Alexandra Eade’s perfect routine helped her to gold in the women’s floor exercise competition in the artistic gymnastics and was followed up by Christopher Remkes’ triumph in the men’s vault.

Elsewhere

The host nation won three other silver medals on Monday, with Georgia-Rose Brown (artistic gymnastics), Kerry Bell (shooting) and Kaity Fassina (weightlifting) all finishing on the podium.

Australia’s basketball teams enjoyed strong wins, the women thumping England 118-55 and the men defeating Nigeria 97-55, while our netballers thrashed Fiji 108-23.

Our men’s beach volleyball team beat Trinidad and Tobago in straight sets while the Hockeyroos were held to a 0-0 draw against New Zealand.

Australia has 39 gold, 33 silver and 34 bronze medals at the top of the medal table.