Dreams of Eade still remaining unbroken

VICTORIAN student Alexandra Eade almost gave up her beloved gymnastics when she had to have both arms broken to overcome lifelong medical problems as a teenager.

Now she is glad that she listened to her mother Angela and persevered because she is the new Commonwealth Games floor champion after producing a mind-blowing 13.33 performance in yesterday’s final on the Gold Coast.

Eade (pictured) has since had three more surgeries on her arms, including a difficult operation for a bone spur in her left wrist last year.

“I would have stopped three years ago, if it wasn’t for my mum Angela, it was difficult coming back and the naysayers said I wouldn’t make it, ”she said.

The 2016 Rio Olympic reserve cried tears of joy when she realised she had won last night. She admitted the tears came from the sheer emotion from all the hard work in the past year to return to peak form and overcoming so many obstacles in the past four years.

“I’m over the moon, I was shocked and crying and hoping my makeup wouldn’t run,” she said.

“The Australian crowds have been so supportive and motivated me to keep going.”

Eade, 20, had “the most nervous wait in my life” while she waiting for the final two competitors including Canadian superstar and world No.2 Ellie Black who finished with 13.2 and fourth place.

In the closely fought competition Eade edged ahead of Welsh woman Latalia Bevan (13.3) and Canadian Shallon Olsen (13.266).

Eade’s performance caps a sterling competition for the women’s team.

It is the first time since the 2006 Melbourne Games that an Australian woman has medalled in every event.