GLASGOW, Scotland – Kylie Masse further cemented her legacy as one of the Commonwealth Games' greatest swimmers on Tuesday, capturing the 11th medal of her career while leading Canada to a five-medal performance in the pool.
The five-time Olympic medallist put down a golden effort in the women’s 50-metre backstroke, successfully defending her title after touching the wall first at 27.32.
“It feels really special. In the prelims and semis I was struggling with keeping my tempo up at the end so I think I was able to execute that better tonight. I’m pleased with the time and with the win. To defend my title is the best case scenario,” said Masse.
Australia’s Iona Alexandra Anderson finished .13 seconds back of the legendary Canadian, placing second at 27.45 England’s Lauren Cox rounded out the women’s podium with a third-place time of 27.56.
Masse’s golden swim made her Canada’s most accomplished women’s swimmer in the history of the Commonwealth Games. The Torontonian has racked up four gold and seven silver medals in her three trips to the multi-sport contest.
“I don’t think I entirely understand (the role model that I am) but it’s moments like this that put it at the forefront of my brain,” said Masse, who was touched by seeing young women singing the Canadian anthem while watching her. “I did notice those kids singing. To notice they are watching, not just me, but everybody competing here tonight hopefully inspires them to get in sport and believe in the unity of sport. It was incredible to see and I was appreciative.”
Canada’s Ralph Hutton captured 12 medals in his has two appearances at the Commonwealth Games (1966, 1970). Marianne Limpert reached the podium 11 times (2002, 1998, 1994), but medals were not awarded in at least one relay due to only four nations participating in the final.
Quebec City’s Nicolas Guy Turbide blazed a lane to the podium for the Canucks on Tuesday, snagging the bronze in a highly-anticipated men’s 50-metre S13 classification race that featured two Scottish athletes. The swimmer from Club de Natation Région de Québec touched the wall in a time of 24.96.
“That was the atmosphere that I was expecting,” said Turbide after winning Canada’s third bronze medal of the meet in Para swimming. “It was a blast to be behind the blocks and hear that crowd. Maybe they weren’t chearing for me particularly but they were cheering for us. I’m so happy Stephen (Clegg) got his moment in front of his home crowd. He’s a good friend and I couldn’t be happier for him. I gave it my 100 per cent today. The guys were just faster tonight and that’s okay.”
He sure did. Clegg was crowned Commonwealth Games champion with a time of 24.73. Nathan Hendricks, of South Africa, clocked-in at 24.84 for second place.
Calgary’s Lorne Wigginton also swam to his first Commonwealth Games podium at the Tollcross Swimming Centre.
Feeding off the unique experience of competing in a multi-sport Games that includes both Olympic and Paralympic program athletes, the 20-year-old, who trains with Etobicoke Swim Club/U Michigan, emptied the tank to complete the men’s 400-metre IM in a time of 4:11.38 for the bronze.
“I knew I was capable of going out and trying to hold on. That was the plan today. To get out there and make everyone hurt. It worked out okay in the end,” said Wigginton, a Paris 2024 Olympian. “I’m thinking of all of the work I’ve done. Coming off of (Bell Canadian Swimming) Trials, I wasn’t sure where I would be at. I’m swimming right on my best times and it’s been a great environment.
“The Commonwealth Games are great for someone like me starting out and getting the opportunity to come back for some second swims as I build towards World Championships next year and the Olympic Games. It’s the only time we are combined with the Para group. There are so many great people to share this experience with.”
New Zealand’s Lewis Clareburt posted the top time in the 400 IM at 4:08.72. Australia’s William Petric stopped the clock at 4:11.02.
Oliver Dawson also celebrated his first Commonwealth Games medal on the penultimate night of swimming in Glasgow.
The 18-year-old from Grand Prairie, Alta. powered his way to the silver-medal step of the podium in the men’s 200-metre breaststroke final in a time of 2:08.39.
“It was just the build up towards the 200 (that was the difference). The 50 and the 100 set me up well for the 200. That’s what I came here to do. In my mind I wanted to step on the podium, and I got a silver out of it,” said Dawson.
In his pursuit to silver, Dawson also took down the Canadian record set by Mike Brown at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The record, which was set the same year Dawson was born, stood at 2:08.84 and was lowered by 0.45 seconds.
Filip Nowacki (Jersey) topped Dawson with a time of 2:07.87 for the gold medal. Australia’s Zac Stubblety-Cook placed third at 2:08.91.
Sophie Angus (HPC Ontario) wrapped up the five-medal haul in thrilling fashion for the Canucks, touching the wall in a tie with England’s Imogen Clark at 30.86 for the bronze medal in the women’s 50-metre breaststroke.
“This is pretty special. It’s my first Commonwealth Games individual medal. The 50 is not something I really focused on this year but I had a breakthrough during Trials so it’s something I was really looking forward to and I’m just really happy I was able to get my head on the wall there,” said Angus, who won two silver medals in her fist Commonwealth Games experience four years ago. “This is motivating to see that I can compete with those girls on the international stage and I belong there. As I get older, just knowing that I can still be up there is important to me. Kylie (Masse) is such a great inspiration of that too. I look up to her and the others on the team.”
Other Canadian highlights on the night included Toronto’s Josh Liendo narrowly missing out on his second medal of the Games, finishing fourth at 48.08 in the men’s 100-metre freestyle.
Canada brought out a high-powered team of Masse, Dawson, Liendo and Ella Jansen Burlington, Ont., (Etobicoke Swim Club) for the mixed 4x100-metre medley relay. The veteran quartet were charging for a sixth medal on the evening, but got edged out down the final stretch by Scotland (3:43.70) for the bronze. The Canadian four-pack were fourth at 3:44.23.
Australia won the action-packed tactical relay in a time of 3:40.46. South Africa was second at 3:42.61.
Team Canada heads into the final night of the swim competition with a total of nine medals.
The Canadian swim team is comprised of 12 Olympic Program and 12 Paralympic Program athletes at the Commonwealth Games, which are a unique among major international multi-sport events, bringing Olympic and Paralympic stream athletes together as one integrated team, creating an environment that has become one of the defining characteristics of the Commonwealth movement.
How to Watch
CBC is the Canadian home of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with daily television coverage from July 23 through Aug. 2. Fans can also stream more than 1,200 hours of live competition on CBC Gem and CBC.ca, with a complete event schedule available across CBC's digital platforms.
ABOUT COMMONWEALTH TEAM CANADA 2026
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring together 74 nations and territories in a celebration of sport, culture, and community. Team Canada will once again compete with pride, unity, and determination on the global stage on this important path to Olympic and Paralympic success. Team Canada will feature 148 athletes, including one guide, 82 team officials and 19 mission staff. Canada’s performance projection in 2026 is a top three ranking, in total medals, amongst all nations and territories competing. Team Canada’s dedicated mission team will provide an optimal environment by celebrating equality, diversity, and non-discrimination. This is in support of our goals needed to enable a best ever performance by Canadian athletes at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
For more information, please contact:
Patrick Kenny
Communications Team Leader – Team Canada 2026
Email: [email protected]
613 724 7160
Chris Dornan
Communications Advisor – Swimming Canada
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403-620-8731
Simone Cseplo
Communications Manager – Swimming Canada
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416-668-3244
Photo Credit: Ian MacNicol