Glasgow: Reuben Ward secures gymnastics gold, Gabriel Langton returns after fall
Ward’s historic gold medal performance
Reuben Ward achieved a significant milestone for Scotland in gymnastics, securing an individual all-around gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 21-year-old gymnast delivered a performance that made him the first Scotsman to win the all-around title. Ward maintained a lead throughout much of the event, ultimately holding off Canada’s Felix Dolci by a narrow margin of 0.2 points at the Emirates Arena, concluding with a high bar routine.
Ward’s victory marked Scotland’s third gold medal of the Games. He expressed his feelings about the win, noting the celebration around him and the experience of standing before the crowd with the Scottish flag. Ward, who was born in Bury, represents Scotland through his parents, who are from East Kilbride. His performance included strong showings on the pommel horse, vault, and uneven bars. Across the six apparatus, which also included the floor, rings, and high bar, he achieved a score of 79.650.
Australia’s Jesse Moore was a primary challenger for Ward in the final rotation, but a mistake early in Moore’s floor routine altered the dynamic of the competition. After not medaling in the team event, Ward is now looking ahead to the pommel horse individual final, where he is set to compete against Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan. Ward acknowledged McClenaghan’s extensive experience in the sport, having competed in the Commonwealth Games, European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games.
Langton’s return and team support
A notable moment at the Games involved Gabriel Langton, a young English gymnast, who returned to the Glasgow International Arena after a fall from the high bars 36 hours prior. Langton had spent 24 hours in hospital following the incident. Despite his injuries, he was present to support his teammates. He cheered for his English teammates, Luke Whitehouse and Adam Tobin, who finished seventh and fifth, respectively. When it became evident they would not win, he directed his encouragement towards Reuben Ward.
Ward recalled that he was among those who were visibly upset following Langton’s fall. After his victory, Ward mentioned a phrase from the team’s physiotherapists: “Do it for Gabe.” Ward recounted his experience with Langton at the junior Europeans in 2022 and seeing him return from the hospital to the Leonardo hotel, where Team England was staying. He expressed relief that Langton was well, describing the fall during the team final as a very frightening experience.
Tobin echoed Ward’s sentiments, confirming that he also heard Langton’s shouts of encouragement, even though he did not see him. Tobin noted that seeing Langton return to the hotel, appearing fit and healthy, was a positive sight. He described Langton’s support for Team England and Team Scotland as remarkable, especially after such a traumatic event. Tobin also credited the English coaches for maintaining calm among the team during the situation, helping them to focus on their competition.
Whitehouse, who was considered a favorite for gold, expressed disappointment with his seventh-place finish, attributing it to three falls, including one during a triple backflip on the floor. However, Whitehouse also conveyed relief regarding Langton’s condition, stating that there were no serious injuries, only bruising. He mentioned welcoming Langton back to the hotel and presenting him with his medal.
The event also highlighted the inherent risks in gymnastics, as Singapore’s Jovi Loh was taken away with what appeared to be a knee injury. The 18-year-old gymnast sustained the injury during his routine on the bars when he did not successfully land his double front-half dismount. Ward is set to compete in the pommel horse individual final today.
Source: theguardian.com
Amelia Stockwell is a Sports Reporter at News GB. She covered two Commonwealth Games for a national outlet. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of York and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in York, she runs with a local club and follows county cricket. “The quiet stories often matter most by the end of the season.”
