Siobhan-Marie O’Connor has won gold in the 200m individual medley on day four of competition at the Commonwealth Games.
Defending her 2014 crown, one of six medals she secured at the Glasgow Games, the Loughborough College alumna clocked two minutes 08.80 to win by a whole body length.
She was the only swimmer to click under 2:10, with Canada's Sarah Darcel taking silver and Erika Seltenreich-Hodgson bronze.
Fellow Loughborough College alumna Abbie Wood came in seventh and their England teammate Aimee Wilmott, who was fourth, swam over three lanes to hug Siobhan.
Siobhan said afterwards: "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.
“That was my choice to race, it did add to the pressure but I knew that coming in here. I’ve been used to focusing on the medley. Hopefully going forward I will try and boot my programme again. It’s been a bit of a tricky 12 months since Rio. I’m just really happy with that swim. It was a great atmosphere out here tonight.
“I did take a lot of time off after Rio and I think I really needed that. I’ve got back on it again and I’m really enjoying it, I feel back to my old self, I’m really looking forward to the next two years. The Commonwealth Games are a crucial point. It’s that halfway point between the Olympics so fingers crossed I can have another good two years.
“I think having that time off, although it’s hard to get back in, really did help. I love swimming. This is what it’s all about.
“I sat in the corridor and I felt really nervous. I felt really sick but when I get to swim like that in front of a crowd like that…
“My parents have travelled all over the world to watch me. Literally to the other side of the world which is very special. It’s moments like that that really make all the training and hard work worth it. I feel very lucky.”