Matt Denny has embraced a special moment with his young son Roman after becoming the first man in 68 years to defend a Commonwealth Games discus title with victory in Glasgow.
Denny threw 67.73m in difficult conditions to beat Jamaica’s Fedrick Dacres (65.10) and his English training partner Lawrence Okoye (64.45).
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist adds another Commonwealth gold medal to his Birmingham 2022 triumph, after taking hammer throw silver on his Games debut at Gold Coast 2018.
The last man to successfully defend a Commonwealth discus title was South Africa’s Fanie du Plessis, who won in 1954 and 1958.
Matt Denny (centre) with silver medallist Fedrick Dacres of Jamaica and bronze medallist Lawrence Okoye of England. (Getty Images: Dean Mouhtaropoulos)
“I knew that there was that pressure there and I clearly had the best [throw] so far this season and had been performing the best, so there was that expectation there,” Denny said.
“More so I think the expectation was from myself, but it is very special to make these kind of marks and do what people haven’t done for a long time.
“It’s not an easy sport to do and I’m in good company, so I’m pretty proud of the fact I can still prove myself against those guys and put some good distances out.”
Denny did a lap of honour around the Scotstoun Stadium track with seven-month-old Roman in his arms.
The 30-year-old has had Roman and wife Mia with him on the road over the past few weeks in the United States and Europe, and said daily tasks like bath time had helped keep him grounded.
“[Roman] is not going to remember it but I know I will when I’m old and grey,” Denny said.
“It’s a tough sport and there’s a lot that goes into it behind the scenes, so you have to have people who understand how you need to operate.
“She [Mia] has been one of those people who just know how I operate, so to be able to share these moments with them … is the most important thing.”
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