Emma McKeon makes Commonwealth Games history in unprecedented feat
Emma McKeon has became the most successful athlete in Commonwealth Games history, winning the 11th gold medal of her career on Sunday in Birmingham.
McKeon claimed victory in the 50m freestyle on Sunday night to clinch her third gold medal of the Games and 11th of her career.
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She came to Birmingham with eight gold medals in two previous editions of the Games.
But the Wollongong wonder has now eclipsed the previous record for most Commonwealth golds (10), set by fellow Australian swimmers Susie O'Neill, Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones.
Swimming superstar Emma McKeon has etched her name into the history books after winning her 11th Commonwealth Games gold medal.
There was also a gold rush for our Aussie cyclists during a dramatic day at the velodrome that saw an English rider fly into the crowd. pic.twitter.com/kqaKSUL81U— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) July 31, 2022
"It's really nice to be mentioned alongside some of those names and I will be part of that history for years to come, hopefully," McKeon said.
"They're the ones who inspired me when I was young. I remember watching them on TV and that lit the fire in me to be where I am now."
McKeon's landmark victory was among three more gold medals, four silver and three bronze collected by Australia's swim team on Sunday night.
Women's 100m backstroke world record holder Kaylee McKeown won her pet event to join the women's 4x200m freestyle relay team and McKeon in winning gold.
The relay team of Madison Wilson, Kiah Melverton, Mollie O'Callaghan and Ariarne Titmus set a new world record, breaking China's landmark time from last year.
The Australians clocked seven minutes 39.29 seconds, bettering China's mark of 7:40.33.
Zac Stubblety-Cook (men's 100m breaststroke), Meg Harris (women's 50m freestyle) Jenna Strauch (women's 200m breaststroke) and Tim Hodge (men's 100m breaststroke S8) all won silvers.
Shayna Jack (women's 50m freestyle), Blake Cochrane (men's 100m breaststroke S8) and Sam Williamson (men's 100m breaststroke) bagged bronzes.
Must say it has been a privilege to be poolside in #Birmingham for the first time at the @thecgf to see the @DolphinsAUS set a new world mark in the women's 4*200 metre freestyle relay and Emma #McKeon become the most successful athlete in Games history with an 11th gold medal.
— Courtney Walsh (@walshcee) July 31, 2022
SHE’S DONE IT!
Emma McKeon becomes the all time greatest Comm Games athlete with a #GOLD in the Women’s 50m Free! Harris #SILVER, Jack #BRONZE!
🥇 E. McKeon (AUS) – 23.99
🥈 M. Harris (AUS) – 24.32
🥉 S. Jack (AUS) – 24.36
@CommGamesAUS | #BoldBraveBrilliant | #Birmingham2022— Australian Swim Team (@DolphinsAUS) July 31, 2022
What a night for sport! England win the Euros. Australia win Sevens gold medal. Emma McKeon keeps on winning.
— Brad Walter (@BradWalterSport) July 31, 2022
🇦🇺🥇 Emma McKeon won her record-equalling tenth gold....WELL, she's just broken that record, and now stands alone as our most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete with her 11th gold. What an athletecongratulations @emmamckeon #birmingham #commonwealthgames2022 pic.twitter.com/Uqm2G4kYno
— Helen Polley (@polley_helen) July 31, 2022
The woman is unbeatable. Is she going to last until the next Olympics?
— Dashiell Hammett (@steelers1288) July 31, 2022
Kyle Chalmers and Emma McKeon brush off 'love triangle' dramas
And Kyle Chalmers, after saying in the morning he felt like flying home amid dry-land controversy, figuratively flew home in the men's 100m semi-finals.
After blasting false reporting of a supposed 'love triangle' involving his ex-partner McKeon and her new flame Cody Simpson, Chalmers clocked the second-fastest time in the 100m free this year to be quickest into Monday's final.
Like Chalmers, McKeon also shut out the media storm in an Australian sweep in her milestone medal race with Harris and Jack.
"It is special," McKeon said.
"It makes me reflect on the last eight years since my first Commonwealth Games.
"I can see how far I've come as a person and an athlete."
McKeon, whose parents and brother both also swam for Australia at Commonwealth Games, broke down in tears while adding: "I find it hard to be proud of myself at times.
"That's something I've struggled with along the way."
with AAP
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