Six medals came for Team Scotland on day nine of Gold Coast 2018.
Grace Reid admitted she was speechless for a spell after becoming Scotland’s first female diving medallist at a Games by winning the 1m event on Friday.
The 21-year-old from Edinburgh qualified for the final in sixth spot, but when she returned to the Optus Aquatic Centre in the evening she did not put a foot wrong.
She posted a score of 52.90 points from her first of five dives and did not look back, eventually amassing 275.30 points to beat second placed Georgia Sheehan (264.00) and fellow Australian Esther Qin (252.95) to the top of the podium.
In 1950 Peter Heatly, who went on to be awarded a knighthood and passed away in 2015, won gold in the men’s 10m and silver in the 3m events.
Then in 1954 he took home bronze in the 10m and gold in the 3m and in 1958 he picked up gold in the 10m.
Since then – 60 years – there had been no more diving medals for Scotland until Wednesday when his grandson James picked up a bronze in the men’s 1m event.
And now Reid has spectacularly created history – and with the 3m event to come on Saturday she could still have more success to come.
Reid said: “Honestly I am absolutely speechless. I went into the morning prelims to enjoy it and give it everything I had, so to walk away with a gold medal after the final, well if you had said that to me this morning I’d not have believed you.
“In the final I had an inkling that I was sort of diving well. It was a nice feeling and that’s what gave me confidence dive after dive, but I am honestly speechless.”
Alex Marshall cemented his place in history as the most successful Team Scotland athlete of all time by winning a gold medal in the men’s fours lawn bowls competition.
That medal on Friday brought his total all-time medal count to five golds and one silver – surpassing athlete Allan Wells’ four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze.
The win came alongside Paul Foster, Derek Oliver and Ronnie Duncan and they fought hard for a win against Australia in what was a tense and thrilling final.
Marshall said: “I went out there thinking about the win, first and foremost. Becoming the most successful athlete was always in the back of my mind, but this was about getting another medal for Team Scotland.
“It’s been a fantastic Games for the entire team and we’re so proud to be a part of that.
“Winning five gold medals is just brilliant. My initial dream was for one – so five is incredible. I didn’t do it alone, though, and I need to thank every single person I’ve partnered with along the way.”
The women’s pair also collected a bronze medal.
Claire Johnston and Lesley Doig defeated Canada 18-10 to take third.
Johnston said: “It feels amazing. The last two games in Delhi and Glasgow were a bit of a disappointment for me, so I’ve worked hard all year to be prepared for this, and to get a medal is just a dream come true.”
Seonaid McIntosh took her second medal in two days at the Belmont Shooting Complex in Brisbane, a bronze in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions.
Reflecting on the event she said “It was hard to get into the final and I really didn’t go great at the start of that. Prone was okay and my standing is normally my best, so I was quite pleased with how I managed to climb my way back up.”
Adding a second bronze medal to her personal tally for the Games, Seonaid said “I’m really happy – I wish my air rifle had gone a wee bit better, but you can’t really complain with two medals.”
Boxers Reece McFadden and John Docherty are taking home bronze medals from the Games after losing out in their respective semi-finals at Oxenford Studios.
McFadden faced Northern Ireland fighter Brendan Irvine, with the Motherwell Boxer looking sharp throughout the three rounds.
Afterwards Reece said: “I thought I boxed really well. I caught him with the cleaner shots. I thought I won that fight. I’m devastated. I came here for gold and I believe I won that fight. I was enjoying myself throughout. I’ve been boxing since I was seven years old and I know when I win.”
In the evening session, Docherty faced the talented Cameroon fighter Dieudonne Wilfried Seyi Ntsengue.
Reflecting on the fight, John said: “Bronze feels good, but to be honest I’m sick. I’ve trained hard for that gold medal and I’m so disappointed not to get it. I tried to box him, but he was too long in reach and awkward.”
Thanks to Team Scotland/Jeff Holmes for the photos