GEM MAKES IT A GOLDEN GAMES
INSPIRED by her mum’s favourite song, Carmarthen’s Gemma Frizelle defied the odds and a major back injury to claim a stunning Commonwealth Games gold medal that took even her by surprise.
Competing in her second Games, the 24-year-old became the first Welsh rhythmic gymnast to top the podium in the hoop discipline with her triumph.
Her score of 28.700 saw her finish ahead of Cyprus’s Anna Sokolova and Carmel Kallemaa of Canada, who took silver and bronze.
Frizelle’s routine, set to Luciano Pavarotti’s Nessun Dorma, was made even more remarkable by the fact that a back problem almost meant she was ruled out of the Games.
“I have had a lot of injuries in my career, so training hasn’t always been easy,” she said. “But a few weeks ago, I found out that I had quite a major injury in my back.
“I only started bending a few days before the competition which isn’t ideal in gymnastics.
“I didn’t think I was going to make it here so just to make it here, then make finals, then to this, incredible.
“I’m still injured, but just working through it.
“My physios have been amazing. They wouldn’t let me do anything I wasn’t able to do.”
Frizelle missed out on the medals when she competed at Gold Coast 2018, but she delivered when it mattered in Birmingham, with her postevent interview bringing her mum to tears.
“I’m not surprised as she is a very emotional person,” Frizelle said.
“She has been through this journey with me, so she knows the struggles I have had to go through.”
Frizelle revealed that the decision to use the iconic Nessun Dorma was completely down to her mum, who had long begged for Frizelle to use it.
“For years and years, since I started competing, every time I’ve got a new routine, she’s begged me to have that as my music,” said Frizelle, who started in the sport aged 12 and is a member of Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.
“I’ve refused every time but finally I gave in this year.
“It was a surprise for her as I didn’t tell her until the first competition she came to watch.”
West Wales bagged another gold at Birmingham 2022 when Crymych boxer Ioan Croft won the welterweight title. It added to the bronze his brother Garan claimed on Saturday in the light-middleweight category.
Read more about the Crofts in our 8-page sports pullout.