Sam Williamson had to learn to walk 12 months ago. He is now a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
Adding to the Australian team’s gold rush in Glasgow, the 28-year-old made an incredible comeback by winning the men’s 100m breaststroke final.
Australian Sam Williamson after winning the men’s 100m breaststroke. AP Photo/Manish Swarup
“After everything that’s happened, winning a gold medal is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” Williamson told Seven.
“I was always going to be proud of getting up the blocks tonight, so walking away with gold is a dream come true.
“If you put effort into it, you can achieve anything.”
Williamson’s triumph was just one of the highlights in a dominant evening for the Australian swimming team, which began with an impressive All-Australian podium in the men’s 400m freestyle.
Sam Short took gold in a brilliant time of 3:41.25, putting him ahead of Elijah Winnington in second place in 3:45.56 and Ben Godemans in 3:45.57.
The momentum continued when Molly O’Callaghan snatched gold in the women’s 200m freestyle, narrowly pinning Australian Lani Pallister against the wall.
Unbeaten in a major competition since 2023, O’Callaghan admitted she was still finding her rhythm while battling bruises on her back during the Games.
Team Australia poses for a photo by the pool. Getty Images
“It’s not my best time, but it’s a privilege to be here. So I’m proud of myself for getting to this point and of my team for helping me meet racing standards after my injury,” O’Callaghan said after the race.
“It’s not the best swim, but it’s something. I love gold.”
Rounding off her swimming victories, Alex Perkins won gold in the women’s 50m butterfly despite an equipment malfunction mid-race.
“I can’t see anything with my glasses, so I’m just trying to find my name, but usually it’s long and it just says ‘Alex today.’ So yeah, I can’t really say, but it’s just a relief,” she said.
The last winners in the pool were the mixed 4×100 meter freestyle relay, and by a large margin.
Flynn Southam, Kyle Chalmers, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris took victory after setting a Games record time of 3:19.36.
While swimmers won five gold medals in the water, the Australian women’s artistic gymnastics team showed off their golden moment on the stage with a thrilling victory in the team all-around.
Georgia Godwin, Brianna Scott, Kate McDonald, Ruby Pass and Emily Whitehead were able to surpass their position as bridesmaids four years ago in Birmingham to win gold in Glasgow.
The Australian team is waiting for gold results. Getty Images
It was a deeply emotional victory for the entire team, especially for 28-year-old Godwin.
After a heartbreaking injury forced her to watch the Paris Olympics from home, Godwin was overcome with emotion following her flawless floor exercise performance, showing the girls she competed alongside were the reason she fought her way back into the sport.