Commonwealth Games: Marfa Ekimova takes rhythmic gymnastics gold
Commonwealth Games, Birmngham, 28 July to 8 August:
Marfa Ekimova has made history for England as it was our first ever gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around final at the Commonwealth Games, Birmingham scoring a brilliant 112.300 overall.
The very talented 17-year-old made sure that she led from the start, top-scoring in the hoop and clubs.
Spectators were treated to an exciting final which wentright to the wire with Cyprus' Anna Sokolova chasing Ekimova's score until the final discipline.
"It's amazing, incredible, it's a dream come true. Anything a gymnast could ever wish for," said Ekimova.
This wasn't her onluy rewards as she also won team bronze on Thursday with her teammates compatriots Saffron Severn and Alice Leaper.
"It was madness, a roaring crowd - I didn't know what the scores were going to be, I just knew I did the best I could do. I wanted to make my country proud and my family at home,"said Ekimova.
"I hope to inspire the kids in the crowd, I want them to be rhythmic gymnasts and this sport to carry on through the generations."
