Siobhan Marie O’Connor became the first woman to successfully defend her 200m IM Commonwealth title in the pool and Olivia Breen produced a Games record in the T38 long jump on their way to each claiming gold medals in Australia today.
Loughborough College alumna Siobhan won by a whole body length at the Optus Aquatics Centre on the Gold Coast with a time of 2:08.80. "The time wasn't my best but it's such an amazing feeling. It's hard racing the Aussies on their home soil. I wanted to focus on the medley and I'm really happy with that.
“It was a massive shock to win and I was over the moon. Four years on it’s a bit different and I just really wanted to try and get my confidence back again.
“What an amazing arena, it’s incredible swimming out there. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so over the moon to have won gold and add it to the amazing haul for team England.”
Earlier in the day, World para-champion and fellow alumna Olivia Breen set a new Commonwealth Games record of 4.56m in the T38 long jump third round before extending it with a final leap and personal best of 4.86m.
"It is a dream come true. After the Paralympics in Rio, the Commonwealth Games was my aim and I have done it and I am so happy.
"With the last jump I just went for it after three no-jumps and I hit it.”
Loughborough College student Taylor Campbell, making his Commonwealth Games debut, came fifth in the Hammer Throw for England – with teammate Nick Miller taking the title.
Taylor, who is studying for a degree in Sports Science and Management with the College, said afterwards: “I know if I was to have medalled, it would have been good, but I was happy with my opener.
“I didn’t make the technical adjustments I needed, but it’s still early doors and I’m still getting used to things – you have to think long term. The guys that beat me here have been to the Olympics and for me it’s the first taste of a multisport Games.
“I tried to prepare myself the best I could, but it’s one of things – it depends what happens on the day. I’m looking forward to the season now.
“There’s big throws in there – there’s no reason why I can’t PB soon. Every competition I learn more about my technique and I’ve just got to be patient with it all.”
Loughborough College swimmer Sarah Vasey struck gold in the 50m breaststroke on her Commonwealth Games debut on the second day of competition in Australia and the College sport degree student competed in the 100m heats today, coming in eighth fastest in 1:08.95.
Gold Coast 200m silver medallist and Loughborough College alumna Molly Rensahw meanwhile came in tenth fastest in 1:09.40.
Fellow alumna Lizzie Simmonds, who finished sixth overall in 2:12.12 in the 200m backstroke heats to qualify came in eighth in the final.
The women’s hockey team suffered their first defeat of the competition against India. But despite their 2-1 loss the squad - which includes former Loughborough College degree student Suzy Petty - they still top Pool A and will face Malaysia on Monday.
England men’s hockey side, including fellow former Loughborough College graduates Chris Griffiths and Henry Weir – who was making his 100th England and 150th combined performance, were held to a draw by Pakistan in their second game of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Still undefeated in Pool B, the men will play Wales on Tuesday.
Chris said afterwards: "We knew it was going to be a tough game, we don't expect to go down but we've got clear plans if we do go down to come from even two, three goals down, so there's no panic, just stick to our game.
"It was hot, but we've been out here for nearly two weeks now so we're kind of used to it. If people complain about the heat, it's not really an excuse.
"Disappointed with the result overall, probably more disappointed with how we played, we kind of got brought into playing their game, a bit of counter attack, a bit end-to-end, but that’s not how we wanted to play. We didn't use our pass like we wanted to and we got caught dribbling a bit too much and some unnecessary turnovers, so more disappointment with how we played and not really the result in the end.
"Every player's going to question an umpire's decision, but that's the call they made so we've got to stick to what he's done and not use that as an excuse. We've got strategies if we go a player down, no matter what so we were too worried about the umpire's decisions today."
Loughborough College alumnus Harry Aikines-Aryeetey finished fifth in his men’s 100m semi-final, missing out on the final. “It was just my transition. I wanted it too much. I pumped myself up, got myself ready for it. My start wasn’t great – I’ve been working on that element.
“A lot of people know I’ve had three stress fractures in my back and I snapped a tendon behind my knee, so a lot of these things are elements that would keep me down in my drive phase.
“One of the reasons I’m so powerful, it means I’m able to run from an upright position. It’s coming with each race – less than a week ago I ran 10.6 and I thought to myself, what’s going on, but I was in heavy training. I’ve tried to get fresh for this and I feel good and ready, but like I said – that transition just got me out. My upright running is pretty much there.
“I just feel like I should be in the final, so I’m frustrated. To run the same time as the final qualifier is frustrating. I feel like I’ve got a lot to give and a lot to prove and it’s an opportunity missed.”
There was also disappointment for fellow England teammate and alumnus Matthew Hudson-Smith. He won his 400m heat but was then disqualified for running out of his lane.
Pictured: World para-Champion and Loughborough College alumna Olivia Breen produces a Commonwealth Games record in the T38 long jump on her way to claiming gold medal in Australia on day four of competition