Canadian gymnasts capture four medals at Commonwealth Games

Canadian gymnasts capture four medals at Commonwealth Games 

GLASGOW, Scotland -- Vancouver’s Scott Morgan won a gold medal on rings and a silver in the floor exercise while his teammates added two more medals to cap Canada’s best day so far in artistic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games.

Morgan, who was the top qualifier on rings, didn’t miss a beat in the final, winning the gold by a healthy margin with a score of 15.100 points.

Kevin Lytwyn of Stoney Creek, Ont., also came up big in the final to take the silver medal with 14.800 points. Daniel Pervis of Scotland won bronze with a score of 14.766.

“It was spectacular to get up there on the podium and hear the Canadian anthem,” said Morgan.“It’s something you dream about as an athlete.”

Ellie Black of Halifax bounced back after finishing just off the podium in the all around the day before to earn a silver medal in the women’s vault to cap the team’s best day so far at the Games.

“I've been a little bit disappointed with my previous performances but that always helps you to keep going and be stronger,” said Black, who also finished fourth in the uneven bars final.

“I just tried to have a good attitude coming in to the finals today and it definitely worked."

Rounding out the Canadian results, Maegan Chant of Waterdown, Ont., was fourth on vault and Anderson Loran of Saskatoon, finished seventh on pommel horse.

Despite his gold medal performance on rings, Morgan said he felt a little shaky at first but gained confidence as his routine progressed.

“I felt I’ve had better routines in some respects but as far as execution and form this one was right up there with my best,” said Morgan.

In the floor final, Morgan was one of just two gymnasts to score higher than 15 points along with gold medal winner Max Whitlock of England.

Whitlock topped the eight-man field in the final with 15.533 points, followed by Morgan in second with 15.133 and David Bishop of New Zealand in third at 14.550

Lytwyn admitted he had some doubts about how competitive he would be coming into the Games because of nagging injuries and a hand infection, but a vote of encouragement from coach Canadian national team director Tony Smith of Calgary and perseverance paid off with his silver medal on rings.

“I competed with some pain in my hand but with all the adrenalin pumping it didn’t really hamper me,” said Lytwyn, who was the last competitor in the rings final.

“It’s nerve wracking competing last but exciting,” said Lytwyn. “I’m eager to get out there and do it again.”

All three Canadian medallists will be aiming for more medals on the final day of competition on Friday.

Morgan is set to compete on vault, Lytwyn on parallel bars and high bar and Black on women’s floor and beam.

Other Canadians competing in Friday’s women’s finals are Isabela Onyshko on beam and Stefanie Merkle of Petersburg, Ont, on floor.

In the men’s finals Zachary Clay of Chilliwack, B.C., will also compete on high bar and parallel bars.