Jarman’s a real diamond

WHEN it comes to Jake Jarman, only the diamond earrings are less than authentic.

Judging from a talent that has yielded a hat-trick of Commonwealth Games gold medals, the rest of the package is very real indeed.

On a day when English gymnasts won in four disciplines at the Utilita Arena, it was Jarman, the youngest of the male squad at 20, who led the way with an exceptional floor routine to add to victories in the team event and last week’s marquee all-around competition. his latest offering was a formidable score of 14.666 that enabled a 0.500-point margin of victory. Based on his performances at these Games, which could yield a fourth gold in the vault today, Britain has a competitor who has defied his own expectations and is now forecasted to translate his success on to the grander stages. ‘This is a very new experience for me,’ said Jarman (below). ‘I’ve never had a competition where I’ve done this well.’ Asked about ear studs that sparkled almost as bright, he said: ‘They’re a bit cheaper — I’ve got better things to spend money on.’ he certainly doesn’t lack for gold, and nor does the wider team. Joe Fraser won his second gold on the pommel horse, two weeks after breaking his foot and five after suffering a ruptured appendix. There were also wins for Courtney Tulloch on the rings and Georgia-Mae Fenton in the women’s uneven bars. Giarnni Regini-Moran took bronze in the floor.