Sam Short roared his delight, Mollie O’Callaghan counted her blessings and Alex Perkins shed her bridesmaid tag as Australia’s swimmers banked five more gold medals, turning the Tollcross pool into their own Commonwealth Games pleasure dome.
Short led home a dominant Australian medal clean sweep in the 400m freestyle final to launch the second night of the Glasgow swimming program in dazzling style ahead of his teammate Elijah Winnington and Ben Goedemans.
“It doesn’t come around too often and you’ve got to make the most of it,” said the Queenslander of his extravagant flex.
“I saw my idols do that on the lane ropes so I was like, you know, why not?!”
Behind the 22-year-old Queenslander, there was a battle royale before Winnington (3:45.56) pipped teammate Ben Goedemans by a mere one-hundredth of a second — a formidable effort from the defending champion, who revealed afterwards he’d spent most of the previous night over a toilet bowl after a bout of food poisoning.
“It just goes to show the rich history of Australian 400m swimming and it’s super special,” Winnington said.
Sam Short, Elijah Winnington and Benjamin Goedemans swept the medals for Australia in the men’s 400m freestyle. (Getty: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
Olympic great O’Callaghan powered to 200m free victory ahead of teammate, 400m winner Lani Pallister, while Perkins annexed a long-awaited gold in the 50m butterfly.
She picked up her second gold, showing no vestiges of the stress fractures and bone bruising in her back that had cast a cloud over her participation.
“Dealing with the injury currently is not the best thing ever, but as an athlete you’ve got to find ways to adapt,” said the delighted Queenslander, who stopped the clock at 1:54.66 to Pallister’s 1:55.01, having always been in control.
“That’s something that I’ve done and my team has done and there’s been multiple circumstances over the years where I’ve just had to keep pushing on.
“That’s the best part about sport, you get hit with an unlucky stick and then you’ve got to pick yourself back up.“
Sam Williamson added a fourth gold medal for Australia, upstaging two-time Olympic champion Adam Ramsay-Peaty in the 100m breaststroke.
Flynn Southam, Kyle Chalmers, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris then cemented the Dolphins’ spectacular start, winning the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay as Australia backed up their six golds on the opening night.
Godwin adds to legacy, leads women gymnasts to team gold
Georgia Godwin, Kate McDonald, Ruby Pass, Breanna Scott and Emily Whitehead celebrate after victory in the Women’s Team Final. (Getty: Naomi Baker)
Georgia Godwin has become Australia’s most decorated women’s gymnast at the Commonwealth Games, bursting into tears as she guided the nation to a team gold medal in Glasgow.
Godwin won her ninth Games medal to surpass Allana Slater in the record books, with Australia leading from the outset en route to a final score of 158.400 points at Glasgow International Arena.
Canada trailed by 1.100 points for silver, while 2022 Birmingham champions England (154.300) claimed bronze.
Australia’s five-woman squad was unrelenting across the four apparatuses — vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor — to win the nation’s first team gold medal since the 2010 Delhi Games.
Four of Australia’s gymnasts — Godwin, Kate McDonald, Emily Whitehead and Breanna Scott — were part of the 2022 silver medal-winning team, with 19-year-old Paris Olympian Ruby Pass making her Games debut.
Georgia Godwin in action on the uneven bars. (Getty: Naomi Baker)
Godwin will look to cement her legacy at the Games when she aims to defend her individual all-around and vault titles.
Already boasting three 2018 Gold Coast Games medals, Godwin had drawn level with Slater on eight medals in 2022 after winning uneven bars, balance beam and team all-around silvers.
Catch up on the full day’s competition in the blog below.
AAP
Recap
Here are the gold medals Australia has won today:
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 8:37am
Goodbye!
That’s it from us on the ABC Sport desk for day two of the Commonwealth Games and holy moly a lot (of good) happened.
Sam Williamson’s win over the world’s greatest ever breaststroker Adam Ramsay-Peaty will be hard to beat as the moment of the Games.
“I really don’t have the words to encapsulate the emotions at the moment,” he said post-race.
“Fourteen months ago I wasn’t walking, 14 months ago I thought my professional swimming career was done.
“Being able to step up on the blocks tonight in a world class field, that meant so much to me.”
Meanwhile, Georgia Godwin has become Australia’s most decorated Games women’s gymnast.
We’ll be back later this evening when there will be 14 more gold medals to be won across the sports so make sure to tune in then!
There’ll be a big showdown on the netball court, where England and Australia meet in the group stage. And as always, there will be our Dolphins in the pool.
Here’s everything you’ve got to look forward to:
- 3×3 basketball/wheelchair basketball
- Artistic gymnastics
- Bowls
- Boxing
- Netball
- Swimming
- Weightlifting
Pete, Luke, Jon and I are going to get some much needed rest so bye for now and catch you next time.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 8:09am
Aaron Wilson continues dominance in bowls
In amongst all the madness of the swimming finals and women’s gymnastics, Aaron “Disco” Wilson claimed another win in the men’s singles bowls.
He claimed a 2-0 victory over his Isle of Man opponent, Mark McGreal.
Wilson is sitting at the top of the men’s singles section A standings, having won 4 and lost 0 matches so far.
If successful in Glasgow, Wilson could become the country’s most decorated bowls athlete.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:53am
The many faces of Godwin’s gold
Georgia Godwin is feeling a lot of emotions. I’ll let her words tell the whole story.
“There was a lot going through my head before that floor routine and the girls before me absolutely nailed their floors. I just really wanted to help the team and with all of that head noise and all of that pressure I just started feeling a bit overwhelmed.
“So before I started floor, I went to my plans and grounded myself and I was so happy for that to be my first floor routine back at a big international event. I think everything is all good and we can move on and I’ve really taken a step today.
“It’s been about two and a half years since I’ve done my Achilles and I’m gonna be honest, it’s been a horrible, horrible road back.
“My support team has been absolutely amazing but the mental challenges I’ve had to go through have been some of the hardest I’ve been through in my life. But I want to finish this sport on my own terms and I wanted to do one more big event with these amazing girls.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it over and over again, but it takes a village and I’m so lucky to have my special village.
“There were so many days when I’m like ‘I can’t do this, I’m too old, I’m too sore, my Achilles will just never be the way it used to be’, but again my village pulled me through — my dog, my family, my coach, my teammates — just everyone came through and they believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
“I didn’t do it for myself, I did it for me everyone that,” she said before taking a long pause as the emotions caught up with her.
“I’m gonna have no tears left by the end of this,” she laughed.
“I can do it,” she said, before taking a few more deep breaths.
“I did it for everyone that has helped me get back. Whether that be in my inner circle or through social media, everyone has done their part, so thank you to everyone that has helped me get back here.”
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:47am
ICYMI: Madeleine McCann’s brother and parents were in the house
At the Tollcross Swimming Centre tonight, Kate and Gerry McCann were in the stands cheering on their son Sean in the men’s 400m freestyle final.
The McCanns are the parents of Madeleine McCann, a three-year-old girl who disappeared while on a family holiday to Portugal nearly 20 years ago.
On debut for Scotland, Sean was given a huge roar when he was announced to the crowd ahead of the final. He finished in eighth spot.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:31am
Ain’t nothing silly
Our domination of the medal tally is great but doesn’t it…underline the silliness of these Games a little?
– Golder
“MY stEAK ToO JUicy MY LObsTEr ToO BUtTErY”
Sorry Golder, you’ll not hear me calling anything about these Games silly.
We’ve always been historically strong at the Commonwealth Games, and it’s an old adage that you can only play what’s in front of you.
It doesn’t take away from the incredible sacrifices and amazing efforts of our athletes to compete and win here. Take a listen to Sam Williamson after his win (where he beat arguably the most dominant swimmer in this stroke ever) and you’ll feel how much it means to him, just as it has for our other athletes.
My advice? Just sit back and enjoy it.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:20am
In Pictures: More medals for Team Australia 🏅
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 7:02am
England gymnast who had nasty fall ‘cleared of serious injury’
Bringing you all a positive update this morning from Team England regarding gymnast Gabriel Langton’s injury.
During the high bar, Langton fell and landed straight on his head and neck prompting a delay in the team final competition as he was stretchered out of the arena.
It was a horrible scene and there was a hushed quiet as his team and spectators watched on.
But thankfully, a statement provided today by British Gymnastics says “he has been cleared of any serious injury complications” and will return to the team hotel today.
“He is in good spirits and hugely grateful for the many messages of support and the excellent care provided by the medical teams,” the statement read.
“He is looking forward to being reunited with the team to celebrate his silver medal.”
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:50am
Isn’t this the sweetest sight?
After Sam Williamson won the 100m breaststroke, one of the first people he went over to hug and kiss was his partner who is actually a photographer at the Games.
This was a very cute, very memorable moment.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:35am
Medal tally: Feels nice to sit top of the podium
Australia’s domination continues after day two of the Commonwealth Games and we LOVE to see it!
Feeling proud.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:20am
🥇AUSTRALIA WINS RELAY GOLD
ANOTHER AUSSIE GOLD MEDAL!
Australia has won the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay by quite a distance.
Flynn Southam, Kyle Chalmers, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris claimed victory.
They posted a Games record with a time of 3:19.36.
That is FIVE Australian gold medals in the pool on day two.
“I just wanted to bring it home and that’s what I did,” Harris told the Seven Network.
“So happy with it.”
England (3:23.91) and Wales (3:24.33) also reached the podium.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:19am
🥇 AUSTRALIA WINS TEAM GYMNASTICS GOLD
THEY’VE DONE IT!!
Georgia Godwin, Breanna Scott, Kate McDonald, Ruby Pass and Emily Whitehead have won the women’s artistic gymnastics team final, going from Birmingham bridesmaids to Glasgow gold.
Goosebumps galore as the five stars climb onto the stage and hold the flag aloft. Tears, hugs, smiles and just pure elation in the arena.
An “Aussie Aussie Aussie” cheer goes up, as it should.
The final standings are:
- Australia – 158.400
- Canada – 157.300
- England – 154.300
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:16am
Canada is done. Australia remains first!
A technical issue with the wrong song being played for the floor routine of England’s Shanna-Kae Grant means the Canadians ripped through all their vaults and they sit second by 1.100.
England has one floor routine left from Abigail Martin.
I don’t think they can do it.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:16am
Aussies favourite for relay gold
We’re up to the final event of the day two program in the pool — the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
Australia is the favourite to top the podium, having led qualifying in the heats.
Here’s Australia’s quartet:
- Flynn Southam (first leg)
- Kyle Chalmers (second)
- Shayna Jack (third)
- Meg Harris (fourth)
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:12am
🥇 WILLIAMSON’S DREAM COMES TRUE WITH GOLD!!!
Here we go, Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook are in the water!
Williamson touches in second at the 50m mark of the 100m breaststroke!
AHHHH THERE’S FOUR THAT COULD WIN THIS!!
WILLIAMSON SURGES IN THE LAST 50M AND WINS!!!!!
He did not want to let arguably the greatest breaststroker of all time, England’s Adam Ramsay-Peaty, touch the wall first. But it’s actually Filip Nowacki from Jersey who sneaks in with the silver and Ramsay-Peaty with the bronze.
He looks sooooo happy.
Here’s what he had to say to Gian Rooney on pool deck:
“After everything that has happened, to come away with a gold medal it’s something I will remember for the rest of my life,” Williamson says.
“Getting up on the blocks tonight was something I was always going to be proud of so to come away with a gold is a dream come true.
“If you put your mind to it you can achieve anything.”
Williamson suffered a horrific knee injury 12 months ago that left him learning how to walk again.
Stubblety-Cook came in fifth.
🥇: Sam Williamson (Australia) 59.17
🥈: Filip Nowacki (Jersey) 59.34
🥉: Adam Ramsay-Peaty (England) 59.65
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:09am
Two Aussies through to breaststroke final
Sienna Toohey and Ella Ramsay have progressed to the women’s 100m breaststroke final.
Toohey and Ramsay were second and third in the second semifinal, clocking 1:06.69 and 1:07.47 respectively.
They were third and sixth fastest into the final.
The third Australian, Tara Kinder, didn’t advance.
She swam 1:08.50 to place sixth in the second semi.
Toohey managed to keep both her swimming caps atop her head this time.
If you don’t know what we’re talking about, watch this:
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 6:08am
Highly anticipated 100m breaststroke final up now
Ohhhh my nerves are back!
Next up we have Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook in the 100m breaststroke final.
Stubblety-Cook won silver at the Games four years ago. Williamson is on a comeback trail from a horrific injury where he had to learn to walk again.
It’s going to be a tough ask for the duo to claim gold with England’s Adam Ramsay-Peaty the favourite.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:57am
CLUTCH vault from Godwin
Georgia Godwin has just thrown down the equal second best vault of the team final with a score of 13.550.
Australia is sitting beautifully at the top of the standings now with a total of 158.400.
They’re five points clear of Wales, with South Africa third on 142.750.
After this rotation, they will just have to sit and watch England and Canada try to catch them.
England will be on the floor and Canada on the vault.
Canada is on 116.050, England has 115.700. They need otherworldly performances to catch Australia here.
You can feel the tension in the crowd right now. I have no idea how these women can perform under this sort of pressure.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:41am
🥈 SILVER FOR JACK IRELAND IN GLASGOW
A gutsy performance from Jack Ireland!
He looked in pain in the last 25m but pulled through to claim silver in the 200m freestyle S14 final with a 1:55.22. What a swim.
That’s one better than Birmingham for Ireland and he will be thrilled with that.
I must say, he looks absolutely gassed when he goes up to Gian Rooney for the post-race interview.
“It feels really good to get silver,” Ireland says.
“It was really tough and my legs were burnt by the end but I tried to stay through it.”
There was also some drama in this event with Welsh swimmer Dylan Broom disqualified.
He was in the bronze position, which will now be given to Rhys Darbey who is also from Wales.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:38am
Swimming: Men’s 200m freestyle S14 final
Australian Jack Ireland is up next in the men’s 200m freestyle S14 final!
S14 is for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
He will start from lane five and looks like he means business.
Sun 26 Jul 2026 at 5:36am
Aussie McTernan finishes fifth
Australia’s Madeleine McTernan has finished in a dead heat for fifth place in the women’s 200m freestyle S14 final.
McTernan clocked 2:11.38, swimming the same time as England’s Louise Fiddes.
England went 1-2, with Georgia Sheffield (2:06.07) and Poppy Maskill (2:07.44) claiming the gold and silver respectively.
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