Sprinters Thomas Young and Sophie Hahn picked up gold medals for England on the opening night of athletics at the Commonwealth Games.
Both won their races in the men’s and women’s 100m T38 finals in Glasgow with Young doing so to mark his 26th birthday in style.
Young, who missed out on the 2022 Games with an injury, recorded a season’s best and Games record time of 11:11 seconds.
“It might be the best birthday I’ve ever had,” he said. “It’s actually joint with Fulham winning in the play-offs on my 20th, but it’s probably this to be fair. Just. I’ve not had my birthday cake yet. I was eyeing up a chocolate cake in the hotel so if they’re still open I’ll have some of that.”
In the women’s final, Hahn beat Team Wales captain and defending champion Olivia Breen into second place, triumphing with a time of 12:79, with England team-mate Maddie Down posting a personal best of 12:86 to secure a bronze medal.
“This is very special,” said Hahn. “It’s been a long time since I last won a Commonwealth Games back in 2018. This means a lot to come here in a home Games and to win.”
British champion Sam Bennett won silver in the men’s 110m hurdles final with a personal best time of 13:30 as he was beaten by Jamaica’s Demario Prince. England’s Tade Ojoro missed out on a medal in fifth.
Kimani Jack, 22, secured a bronze in the men’s high jump final with a jump of 2.20m, with the gold medal going to Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford who cleared 2.25m.
“I really really loved it out there, it was a great experience,” said Jack. “I’ve said it multiple times but shout out Glasgow, they know how to put on an event.”
In round one of the women’s 800m, Olympic silver medallist Georgia Hunter Bell won her heat in two minutes 02.61 seconds to finish ahead of Scotland’s Jemmie Reekie as both qualified.
“I was happy to control it and I felt really good,” said Hunter Bell. “I’m happy and it’s job done.
“I’ve never done the Commonwealth Games before, so it’s obviously my debut. For me, it was always going to be a no-brainer that I do it.”
