POCKET ROCKET LANDS GOLD
GYMNASTICS: Go big or go huge. It's a favourite mantra of Australian gymnast Chris Remkes and one the 147cm pocket rocket lived out yesterday when he won gold in the men's individual vault at the Commonwealth Games.
Cheered on by a sell-out crowd at Coomera Indoor Sports Centre, the 21-year-old posted an average score of 14.79 across his two routines to edge out English duo Courtney Tulloch (14.66) and Dominick Cunningham (14.33).
It is Australia's first gymnastics gold medal at these Games and the first men's vault gold for an Australian since Bret Hudson at the 1994 Games.
Ranked third in qualifying, Remkes showed poise under pressure to nail the execution on both vaults.
The South Australian has practised mindfulness as part of his training and said he had been spurred on by the mental image of standing atop the podium.
“I was visualising trying to land my vaults and stick it if possible but going up on the podium (as well), absolutely,” he said. “It's just an unreal feeling. All my preparation, all my hard work led to this.”
Remkes had to endure a nervous wait with rings gold medallist Tulloch and Cunningham the final two competitors. Cunningham had posted the top score of 14.95 in qualifying but was penalised yesterday for a wayward landing on his first vault.
Remkes' victory over his English rivals is a major triumph for an Australian men's group that failed to win a gold medal at the Glasgow Games.
Australia's men finished fifth in the team competition on the Gold Coast, while Remkes went sixth in the pommel horse final.
Fellow Australian gymnast Alexandra Eade, meanwhile, won gold in the women's floor final.