Wilson flaunts win in a flash

HE’S not called “disco tech” for nothing, and last night Bendigo bowler Aaron Wilson kickstarted a party and continued a team tradition by tearing his shirt off after winning gold in the men’s singles final at Broadbeach.

Wearing his lucky undies, the 26-year-old became just the third Australian to win the singles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games when he rallied from 6-8 down to beat Canadian Ryan Bester 21-14.

A shirtless Wilson then ran around the green pumping his fists before embracing Australian team officials including Kelvin Kerkow, who won the title in 2006 and also ripped his shirt off in wild celebrations.

“It’s absolutely amazing representing Australia. It’s Australia’s medal – this is for Australia,” Wilson said.

“It (shirt) was just in the moment. Kelvin Kerkow ripped his shirt off a few years ago, back in 2006, (it was) just a copy of that.

“Something we’re trying to do is build the culture with Bowls Australia, and I think we’ve done that really well.

“Anyone wins, we celebrate; anyone loses we grieve for them. We’re all one team.”

Wilson trailed 6-8 after end 10 then drew level at 8-8 two ends later, before making

LAWN BOWLS

his move in the 13th when he produced a clutch final bowl to take three points and from there he had to hold his nerve.

Far from overawed on his Commonwealth Games debut, Wilson extended his lead to 19-13 after end 20 and stormed to victory in front of a home crowd minutes later.

“It was going to be a tight game but it’s very exciting to get a gold medal for Australia, it’s absolutely awesome,” he said.

“I got behind really early, again just needed to get myself in the game, played a couple of good shots to get myself back into it and one thing led to another and got the final few shots.

“He (Bester) stuck with it all the time, he’s one of the best players in the world. He’s going to keep going at you and going at you, you just have to hang tough as long as you can, and I did it today and got the win.”

Wilson joins Kerkow (2006) and Rob Parrella (1990) as the only Australians to win the men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games and delivered Australia its second gold medal on an otherwise subdued day on the Coast.

Wilson’s is previous career highlight was the men’s pairs world championship in 2016.