Athletics: A trio of Jersey athletes were in action at the Alexander Stadium on Tuesday. In the morning session, Zach Saunders (pictured above) became Jersey’s first ever Commonwealth Games 100m runner. The 19-year-old sprinter’s time of 10.76 was just outside his personal best of 10.70, and earnt him 5th spot in his heat. He’ll be on track again later this week in the 200m.
He said: “I’m a little disappointed with the time and the race. It felt like I got out OK, but I just sort of ran out of it a bit but I think it’s good to shake off some nerves. I’m happy to be here but it [the performance] was not quite what I was hoping for. The conditions aren’t amazing but it is what it is, and you can’t change that.”
Experienced thrower Zane Duquemin (pictured below) was next in action, in the men’s discus qualification round. His first effort of 58.87m saw him qualify for Thursday’s final in 4th spot in his group and 7th place overall.
In the evening session, Shadine Duquemin took 10th place in the final of the women’s discus. Her best throw of the night was 52.87m.
Swimming: At the Sandwell Aquatics Centre there were yet more island records set by Jersey’s swimmers. Gemma Atherley’s time of 29.93 in the 50m backstroke was a new Jersey best and enough to make it through to the semis. A further island record followed in the 4x100m mixed medley relay heats (4:00.49), with Atherley, Robbie Jones, Harry Shalamon and Lily Scott teaming up to finish fourth in their race, behind Australia, Canada and Wales. Jersey came 7th in the final, ahead of 8th placed Guernsey.
Bowls: Jersey’s fours started their Commonwealth Games campaign with a loss, as they were beaten 22-9 by New Zealand. Lead Derek Boswell, second Scott Ruderham, third Greg Davis and skip Malcolm de Sousa had found themselves 17-2 down after nine ends.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), table-tennis players Jordan Wykes and 15-year-old Hannah Silcock are in action for the first time at Birmingham 2022. Wykes faces Scotland’s Gavin Rumgay and Mauritius player Muhammed Baboolall, before Silcock takes on Oumehani Hosenally (also from Mauritius) and Ugandan Florence Seera. Mountain bikers Rhy Hidrio, Lisa Mansell and Emily Bridson go in the cross-country event at Cannock Chase Forest, while there’s also further swimming and bowls action for Jersey’s competitors on what will be day 6 of the Games.