Amy Hunt overcame a horrendous start and a flooded track to win silver in the women's 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, as New Zealand's Zoe Hobbs claimed gold in a personal best of 10.93 seconds. The race was run in torrential rain that left the track waterlogged, with Hunt describing how her fingers were underwater at the start line.
Hunt, representing England, finished second in 10.98 seconds, with Australia's Torrie Lewis taking bronze. Despite a poor opening 60 metres, Hunt powered through the final stages but could not catch Hobbs, who ran the race of her life.
Hunt reflects on a challenging race
“I had a really, really terrible first 60m,” Hunt said. “I am a legitimate starter. But today I got it really badly wrong. I was able to dig myself out of the horrendous ditch that I dug in the first half of the race, but I think gold was definitely there for the taking.”
Hunt made no excuses about the cold and rain, but noted the extreme conditions. “It was pretty gross on the start line. My fingers were underwater, which is a bit novel. But you have to roll with the punches at champs and bringing away a medal is the most important thing, no matter what happens.”
So wet was the track that several of Hunt's fake fingernails came off. Afterwards, she pointed to them and her silver rings, joking, “I need to start wearing some gold jewellery.” The silver medal adds to the one she won over 200m at the world championships in Tokyo last year.
Hunt emphasizes importance of competing
Hunt also made an eloquent case for why it was important to show up despite nine Team England athletes pulling out of the championships in the past week. “I think it's really important as a track athlete,” she said. “We don't get much representation in terms of media. We're not NBA players. We're not on TV three times a week and everyone's seeing our faces. And it's really important in terms of my journey and my legacy as an athlete. I don't want to go on my Wikipedia page in 30 years' time and just see one or two medals. I want to see lists and lists of medals.”
Eseme wins men's 100m in Games record
Earlier on a night of spiteful conditions, Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme surged to victory in the men's 100m, setting a Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds. Australia's Lachlan Kennedy led for 95 metres but stuttered near the line, finishing second in an Australian record of 9.85 seconds.
“For 95 metres, Kennedy ran a stormer. But moments before the line he stuttered slightly, as Eseme charged from third to first to come through,” the report noted. Eseme's time of 9.83 seconds is a new Games record.
Rain affects field events
The rain caused significant disruption across the athletics programme. The women's high jump was delayed by 90 minutes, resuming at 9.08pm. England's Morgan Lake went out early, failing three attempts at her opening height of 1.82m. The event was eventually won by Australia's Eleanor Patterson with a jump of 1.96m, ahead of compatriot Nicola Olyslagers.
In the hammer competition, the first thrower, Scotland's Angela McAuslan-Kelly, hit the protective net, as did Australia's Stephanie Ratcliffe. There were ironic cheers when England's Charlotte Payne found the field with her throw.
Australia shines in 10,000m
Australia's Ky Robinson won the men's 10,000m gold in 27 minutes 48.93 seconds, ahead of India's Gulveer Singh. The Isle of Man's David Mullarkey took bronze, securing his island's first track and field medal at a Commonwealth Games.
Hunt finds perspective
Despite leaving the track wanting more, Hunt eventually found perspective. “I might have a little glass of champagne,” she said. “Because I think you have to celebrate the moments. Otherwise, you kind of get 70 years old and think: 'Have I even enjoyed my life?'” And with that, she broke into a broad smile.
