Commonwealth Games: Gymnast Kate McDonald edges out teammate Georgia Godwin for gold in balance beam final

Carly LadenThe West Australian
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Camera IconKate McDonald of Team Australia competes during Women's Balance Beam Final. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

In a shock plot twist, gymnast Kate McDonald has edged out her teammate to take home the gold in Australia’s ever-growing haul of Commonwealth Games medals.

The 22-year-old outscored fellow Aussie and gold medal favourite Georgia Godwin by just 0.033 points in the women’s balance beam final.

Godwin, who had already won two gold medals and two silver medals, had the tough position of starting the final but she did not let nerves get the best of her.

Despite an early wobble, Godwin remained composed to put in a solid performance with an impressive dismount, finishing with a score of 13.433.

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Just when it looked as though Godwin would take home a third Commonwealth Games gold medal, McDonald delivered when it mattered.

Despite McDonald’s routine having a lower difficulty score than Godwin’s, McDonald impressed the judges with an execution score of 8.366 to help her secure the gold, leaving Godwin with silver.

Camera IconAustralia's Georgia Godwin competes during the Women's Balance Beam final at Arena Birmingham on day five of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (David Davies/PA via AP) Credit: David Davies/AP
Camera IconSilver medalist Georgia Godwin of Team Australia, gold medalist Kate McDonald of Team Australia and bronze medalist Emma Spence of Team Canada. Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Canada’s Emma Spence claimed the bronze with a score of 13.066.

In an interview after the medal ceremony, McDonald said she was “in complete shock” but felt proud to finish on the podium with Godwin and Spence.

“I just did the routine to the best of my ability and I was not expecting it at it,” she said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better podium finish - best podium finish ever.”

Godwin sang praises for her teammate, calling McDonald the “star of the moment”.

Meanwhile, James Bacueti ended Australia’s men’s artistic gymnastics medal drought, claiming bronze in the vault final.

Bacueti was part of the men’s team that finished fourth but turned it on in the individual event to claim bronze behind England’s Jake Garman and Giarnni Regini-Moran.

The 27-year-old threw everything at the final, attacking two difficult vaults.

Camera IconGold medal Jake Jarman of Team England, center, poses on the podium with silver medal Giarnni Regini-Moran of Team England, left, and bronze medal James Bacueti of Team Australia, right, after the Men's Vault finals at the Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, England, Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Credit: Manish Swarup/AP

He landed 14.466 on his first vault but stumbled on the landing on his second, recording 14.100 for an average score of 14.283.

Elsewhere, Mitchell Morgans and Tyson Bull put on solid showings in the Men’s Parallel Bars final, but ultimately fell short of winning medals.

Teammate Mitchell Morgans put on a impressive showing , giving his everything in the final to record a score of 13.766 to finish fourth behind England’s Joe Fraser & Giarnni Regini-Morgan and Cypriot Marios Georgiou.

Camera IconBIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 02: Tyson Bull of Team Australia competes during Men's Parallel Bars Final on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Arena Birmingham on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Credit: Al Bello/Getty Images

Tyson Bull started off strong but was left disappointed after falling out of the dismount, going on to record a score of 13.133 to finish in eighth place.

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