Australia’s 4x100m relay team have broken a 52-year drought to win Commonwealth Games gold after a heroic final leg from Rohan Browning clinched a thrilling race.
The medal was the highlight of another dominant day in Glasgow for Australia, with seven gold medals setting a new national track and field Games record in a single day.
Alongside Lachlan Kennedy, Josh Azzopardi and Calab Law, Browning held off a furious challenge from Olympic champions Canada and sprnting champion Andre De Grasse down the final straight for a time of 38.07 seconds.
The Canadians, who’d finish second with a time of 38.11, would be disqualified for an illegal changeover, handing the silver medal to Nigeria (38.12).
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It is Australia’s first gold medal in the event since the 1974 Games.
“Rohan’s hung on! We’ve won the gold medal!” athletics commentary doyen Bruce McAvaney exclaimed on Channel 7.
“For Browning, it’s so special. And for us as well.
“You hoped, but didn’t really believe we could win. Frame that photo please. I’m so happy for them.
“Thrilling. Breathtaking. Unforgettable.”
Triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Tamsyn Manou – whose father, Greg Lewis, was part of that 1974 gold-winning relay team – was even more delighted, screaming “Yes!” as Browning crossed the finish line.
“That’s one of the best races I’ve ever seen Browning run,” she proclaimed on Seven.
For Browning, the victory comes as extra sweet after tripping on the anchor leg in the 2022 gold medal race.
“I don’t think I’ve ever run quite that scared in my life,” the 28-year old told Seven.
“I had no idea where the others were. I could here the commentator call for Canada, and just run to that line.
“Four years ago, I tripped over, got the team DQed in the heats when we were medal threats, and I’ve had to carry the burden of that for the last four years.
“I think this, hopefully, wipes the slate clean.
“It’s probably the most special moment of my career.”
Kennedy’s gold comes after the selfless decision to not compete in the men’s 100m in order to preserve himself for the team race.
“We’re going to have a few beers later on,” he declared.
Australia’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay team – (L-R) Rohan Browning, Calab Law, Josh Azzopardi and Lachlan Kennedy. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
A further ten gold medals has seen Australia’s Games tally swell to 65 gold, 41 silver and 52 bronze – comfortably clear of second-placed England (26-40-35).
A clean sweep of medals in the 10,000m race walk summed up the dominance – with Australia’s biggest enemies proving to be themselves.
Olympic bronze medallist Jemima Montag claimed her third Games gold after powering away from countrywoman Elizabeth McMillen in the final two laps of the 25-lap race.
In breezy conditions, Montag conserved energy by staying behind McMillen, forcing her to bear the brunt of the headwind, before pulling away late.
It led to a frosty handshake between the pair after the race, with Montag admitting she had to “be selfish” to claim gold.
Jemima Montag and Elizabeth McMillan shake hands after the women’s 10,000m race walk.Source: Channel 7
“Unfortunately it’s an individual sport, not a team,” the 28-year old said.
“If it was cycling or something, with drafting where you do change the lead around, then absolutely.
“But as much as I would love to, sometimes you have to forget that it’s a teammate that you care about and just remember that it’s another competitor and another body that’s ahead of you, and to ultimately be selfish.”
A third Australian in Rebecca Henderson would claim bronze.
There was another all-Aussie clean sweep in the women’s mile, with Abbey Caldwell claiming gold over Jess Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth.
The trio were notably thrilled with each other’s achievement, with Hull’s sportswomanship again stealing the show.
The popular 29-year old was all smiles after her silver medal win, as she was when pipped by Rose Davies in the 5000m earlier in the week.
“Can we just take a moment to say how kind-hearted Jess Hull is,” Manou said on Seven.
“She’s finished second in both races – but the smile across her face, you can’t put that on.
“She’s such a genuine, genuine person.
“The hug, the smiles, the pride that she has that all the three of them have got the medal.”
Jessica Hull congratulates gold medallist Abbey Caldwell and bronze medallist Claudia Hollingsworth after the women’s one mile final. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Source: AP
Brianna Clarke added to the track medal tally with gold in the women’s 200m T38.
In the field events, Matt Denny enjoyed a heartwarming moment with son Roman after becoming the first man since 1958 to defend a Games discus title.
Denny, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics, claimed gold with a throw of 67.73m, well clear of Jamaica’s Fredrick Dacres (65.10) before taking Roman on a lap of honour in celebration.
Matt Denny with his son Roman after winning discus gold. . Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
Mackenzie Little won gold of her own in the women’s javelin, with her 61.88m first throw pipping New Zealander Tori Moorby (60.04m).
Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall’s 5.80m first attempt was enough his third consecutive Games gold – before he went on to set a new record as well.
Marschall’s last attempt at clearing 5.85m for a new benchmark, surpassing 2008 Olympic gold medallist Steve Hooker’s 5.80m attempt at the 2006 Games, was successful.
Earlier, a pair of boxing golds extended Australia’s dominance to the ring.
Jye Dixon was left in tears after a unanimous decision in the men’s 55kg event, before Emma-Sue Greentree’s gold in the middleweight boxing via a tense split decision.
Leigh Hoffman continued a brilliant individual games with gold in the men’s sprint cycling event.
Following on from his team sprint success, the 26-year old set a games record with his qualifying time, before defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul 2-0 in the final.
Hoffman couldn’t resist another cheeky jab at ex-teammate Matthew Richardson, who was unable to compete due to injury after his defection from Australia to England after the 2024 Olympics.
When asked about Richardson’s claim he only had one bike while racing for Australia, compared to five with Team Britain, the Aussie remarked: “I only need one bike to get the job done.”
However, there was heartbreak in the mixed 4x400m relay, with a last-gasp stumble from Jemma Pollard denying the Australians a shot at another medal.
After Mia Gross, Tom Reynolds and Cooper Sherman ran brilliantly to set up a lead going into the final leg, Pollard did everything to hold on, only to trip with just 40 metres to go.