ALL THE NEWS, ACTION AND REACTION LIVE FROM GLASGOW 2014 AS IT HAPPENS!

By Paul Osborne, Nick Butler, Gary Anderson and Duncan Mackay in Glasgow and Zjan Shirinian in London
Click refresh for latest updates. All times stated are British

Good night!

22:30 Join us tomorrow at 09:00 to see if Australia can make up any ground. As well as for all the other sporting, mascot and beard-related news from Glasgow 2014.

Until then, it's good night!

22:29 Speaking of medals, the latest table is happy reading for England fans. Daylight has well and truly opened up at the top, while Canada are now nailed on in the third place. Will Scotland hang onto fourth? India, New Zealand and South Africa are all chasing hard...

Latest medals table ©ITG
22:28 Semi-finals action is also getting underway in boxing. Scroll down to 13:23 for Gary Anderson's preview...

There will be plenty more action in athletics, as well as in the racket and team sports, as we get near the medal rounds. 

22:26 Coming up tomorrow, we have our first glimpse of Olympic bronze medal winner Tom Daley in action. He is competing in the synchronised 10m platform competition with new partner James Denny.

Tom Daley will change from spectator to participant when the 10m platform competition begins ©Getty Images

22:23 In netball, Scotland ended its Glasgow 2014 campaign with a 46-28 triumph over Trinidad and Tobago in the ninth place play off while Barbados secured 11th place with a 53-27 victory over winless Saint Lucia.

And finally, in women's hockey, Wales scored its first goals of Glasgow 2014 to record its first victory in the tournament with a 4-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago to claim ninth place.

22:16 All the medals action has finished now in Glasgow. We are going to provide a quick round-up of some of the other sports no, starting with the racket ones. An excellent performance by 42-year-old Lay Jian Fang of Australia to reach the women's singles semi-final, where she will be up against a trio of formidable Singaporeans. But England had the best of the day in the mixed doubles, guaranteeing themselves at least two medals after qualifying three pairs into the semi-finals.

Early stages of doubles action in squash, where one of the highlights of the day being an encounter between Adrian Grant and men's singles champion Nick Matthew, the top seeds, in the men's doubles, which at one stage looked like it might end with a shock result. The duo were were 6-2 down in the opening game of their round of 16 match against number 15 seeds Chris Binnie and Bruce Burrowes before fighting back to seal a 2-0 win. 

In bowls, there will be another England versus Scotland final tomorrow, as David Peacock, Neil Speirs, Paul Foster and Alex Marshall of Scotland claimed a 15-10 semi-final victory over Australia to advance to the final against Andrew Knapper, John McGuinness, Stuart Airey and Jamie Chestney. England defeated India 14-12.

Duncan Mackay new"Enjoyed the music greatly today at the Glasgow 2014 venues I have visited. Amy Macdonald, Kings of Leon, Andy Stewart, Kaiser Chiefs, Texas...the DJs have been on particularly fine form. Finishing with the Bob Marley classic 'Buffalo Soldier' at Hampden Park after the three Jamaicans had received their medals for their cleansweep in the 200m was particularly inspirational. If Scottish officials aren't planning a 'Glasgow 2014 Greatest Hits' album then the head of marketing should be fired."
- Editor Duncan Mackay with a final update on the music at Hampden Park

How do the English beards compare?

22:10
More on the discussion we were having at 20:23 about the best beard in sport. England have been beating Australia at most things here over the last few days. Do they on beards as well?

Twitter logo
@insidethegames got to be @DarylSelby or @MartynRooney here @Glasgow2014
-
Claire Furlong, head of media for Team England gives her input on the best beard in sport.

I still think Damon Kelly's is better. What d'you reckon?

British 400m runner Martyn Rooney ©Getty ImagesDaryl Selby with Prince Edward ©Twitter




Duncan Mackay new
"Just had a chat with Allan Wells about the men's 200 metres. His verdict was that it was 'Okay but the conditions didn't help.' He was more interested in praising the transformation of Hampden Park. 'It's amazing, isn't it? It's a shame we can't keep it after the Games.'"
-
Editor Duncan Mackey hears from legendary Scottish sprinter Allan Wells at Hampden Park. 

Jamaica...can you hear us? We're coming to get you!!

Quote"The performance of Blessing Okagbare at the Commonwealth Games is an indication that in the next two years we should be in a position to compete favourably head to head with the likes of the Jamaicans"
- Omatseye Nesiama, technical director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, perhaps getting a little carried away by his team's success at Glasgow 2014...

Controversy, what controversy?


Sally Pearson brushed aside being the centre of controversy to cruise through her opening heat of the 100m hurdles ©Getty Images

21:53
Any fears that the furore surrounding Sally Pearson after she was criticised by Australia's head coach Eric Hollingsworth, leading to him being suspended, having his accreditation revoked and sent home (see 11:45), would affect her defence of her 100m hurdles title have proved to be spectacularly unfounded.

The Olympic gold medallist has just cruised through her opening heat in an extremely impressive 12.69, just 0.04 off the Games record set by Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton at Melbourne in 2006. It would seem Pearson knows exactly the right way to train, whatever Hollingsworth may have said. 

Searching for Clyde

Twitter logomacaroni_leonie
@insidethegames @VirginTrains still have some #clyde left to sell!
- As I am sure you remember, we told you earlier today (see 17:53) that Glasgow 2014 had declared that all 50,000 of the small Clyde mascots had officially sold out. But, as this Tweet reveals, Virgin Trains still have some to sell. It will be worth paying the ridiculously expensive fare just to get your hands on one of the cuddly thistles



Reaction to Amos' 800m victory over Rushida in their own words


Quote"It means a lot. It's my brother's birthday today and I said I'd give him a present. I tried my best. These have been the best three days of my life. I want to enjoy it and take it slowly" -
Botswana's Nijel Amos delivers a truly unique present to his brother, a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the 800m‏

Quote"I don't think I'm THE man. I will only be the man when I have broken the world record five times. Rudisha told me I would have to win with 1:42. I'd like next year to come back together [with Rudisha] to break the world record. I don't care who breaks it, me or Rudisha"
- A humble Amos on his plans for 2015‏

Quote"I really didn't have enough time to do my preparation. I missed a lot of my training, so I found it a little difficult in the last 100 metres. I think it's all about the preparation. I didn't do enough preparation, and it felt like I was missing something. I know these young guys are coming. They've been showing good running technique and good races. I am very happy for them, because they give us a challenge and keep us awake" - Olympic 800m champion and world record holder David Rudisha is happy with his Commonwealth Games silver medal‏

Duncan Mackay new"Nijel Amos was due to be presented with his gold medal by Ian Stewart, the Anglo-Scot who produced one of the most memorable moments of the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh when he won the 5,000m. But for some reason there has been a change and doing the honours instead is Kip Keino, the great Kenyan that Stewart beat in that memorable race at Meadowbank" - Editor Duncan Mackay at Hampden Park sees revenge of sorts for Kip Keino 44 years after Edinburgh 1970‏

Glasgow 2014 gold medal21:15 And it's a one-two-three for Jamaica in the 200m as Rasheed Dwyer leads home compatriots Warren Weir and Jason Livermore for a clean sweep.

Dwyer stops the clock at 20.14 ahead of team-mates Weir in 20.16 and Livermore in 20.32.

21:10 
As the runners settle into their blocks for the 200m final at Hampden, among those taking a front row seat is Allan Wells, the Scot who shared a gold medal with England's Mike McFarlane in this event at Brisbane in 1982

Glasgow 2014 gold medal21:00 Gold for Canada in the pool in Edinburgh as Meaghan Benfeito takes the women's 10m platform title with a score of 372.65.

Silver goes to Rinong Pamg of Malaysia while another Canadian takes bronze in the form of Roseline Filion.

20:58
Away from the athletics for one moment, as there is a big win in table tennis for Scotland to report. Gavin Rumgay, the host nation's top player, has beaten Andre Ho of Canada 4-1 to make it through to the third round.

We are also momentarily distracted as cycling gold medal winner Alex Dowsett has appeared in the Main Press Centre...

Medals galore in athletics on day eight

Glasgow 2014 gold medal20:54 Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare has completed the women's sprint double after a commanding performance in the 200m sees her streak to victory in a time of 22:25.

It was a double of sorts for England in the minor medals as Jodie Williams takes silver and Bianca Williams the bronze.

20:49 No doubt what the highlight has been tonight, that 800m final, but there is plenty more to come. Next up is the women's 200m final...

Nijel Amos won gold for Botswana over 800m ©Getty Images

Glasgow 2014 gold medal20:44 The women's long jump has also been decided and its gold for Nigeria's Ese Brume with a jump of 6.56m. Jazmin Sawyers of England is second on 6.54 with bronze going to Chritabel Nettey of Canada who registered 6.49m.

Sawyers won a silver medal in the two-woman bobsleigh at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck.

20:39 No surprises in the 400m hurdles as far as the women are concerned. Child was getting a lot of hype but Spencer was always the favourite. A good performance by the Scot nonetheless.

A shock, of sorts, in the men's race as runner-up Jehue Gordon is the reigning world champion. But Fredericks had run quicker than him this year, so the smart money was always on him.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal20:35 Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica takes the gold in the women's 400m hurdles ahead of Scotland's Eilidh Child while Janieve Russell takes the bronze for Jamaica.

Spencer clocks in at 54:10 just under a second clear of Child who takes her second consecutive Commonwealth Games silver.

20:32 Hampden erupts as Eilidh Child is introduced before the start of the women's 400m hurdles final

Glasgow 2014 gold medal20:27 Gold for South Africa and it's delight for Cornel Fredericks as he held on to take the win in a time of 48.50 ahead of Jehue Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago and Jeffrey Gibson of the Bahamas.

Jamaican Annsert Whyte had been right in contention but clipped a hurdle on the final bend to crash out.

Best beards in sport?

20:23 But the Australian has a way to go to match cricketing legend William Gilbert (WG) Grace. who played first class cricket for a record-equalling 44 seasons, from 1865 to 1908.

Legendary cricketer WG Grace in action for Gloucestershire ©Hulton Archive/Getty Images


20:16 The Australian has got us thinking about the best beards in sport...

Remarkably, there is a website on this very theme - BeardWatch

New Zealand rugby sevens captain DJ Forbes is the only person who comes close here in Glasgow, we feel...

Damon Kelly celebrates weightlifting gold ©Getty ImagesNew Zealand rugby sevens captain DJ Forbes ©Getty Images


Quote marks"My wife is looking forward to my beard getting trimmed. Food gets stuck in there, but it keeps the neck warm, so just a bit of a trim"
- Australian Damon Kelly on his 'Ned Kelly' look (see 17:37) after winning the bronze medal in the over 105kg weightlifting

Amos shocks Rudisha to win 800m title

Gary Anderson"There have been two false starts here at Hampden Park tonight and I had one of my own as I became the latest member of the insidethegames team to experience a slight technical hitch (of my own doing) but I am up and running now on day five of the athletics programme. We have seen some quality action so far and one of the most highly-anticipated events at these Games saw Olympic champion and world record holder Kenyan great David Rudisha beaten to gold in the men's 800m by the man he finished ahead of at London 2012, Nijel Amos of Botswana. The result was not that big a surprise, though, as Rudisha's preparations had been hit by injury and Amos is a major emerging talent on the world scene. Another London 2012 rivalry was renewed in the men's Para-sport 1,500m T54 and it was the 'Weirwolf' who prevailed as England's David Weir overcame long time rival Kurt Fearnley of Australia. Meanwhile, India's Vikas Shive Gowda will be celebrating as he took the men's discus gold. His effort of 63.64 skidded along the Hampden turf on what is a damp evening here. But as has been the case here all week the stands are packed and the noise is loud, very loud."

20:03 What a performance by the young Botswanan in surely one of the moments of the Games so far. I was lucky enough to watch him win gold at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona and that same summer who won a shock Olympic silver, behind Rudisha, in a magnificent London 2012 Olympic final.

He has avenged that defeat tonight, with the rain making the race far slower on this occasion.

The time he ran in the Olympic final, 1:41.73, was a world junior record and puts him equal third in the all-time senior rankings, with somebody called Sebastian Coe. The name rings a bell...

Second behind Rudisha is the Kenyan born Dane, Wilson Kipketer.

Botwana Flag19:56 Amos becomes first man from Botswana to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal and only second in the country's history following the victory of Amantle Montsho in the women's 400m at Delhi 2010.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal19:52 What a finish in the men's 800m at Hampden. Olympic champion and world record holder David Rudisha had looked set for gold coming into the final 100m helped by team mate Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich who was sitting on his shoulder but Botswana's Nijel Amos had other ideas as he powers for home and blows passed the Kenyan in the final 30m to take the win in a time of 1:45:18!

Rudisha takes silver while South African Andre Oliver takes bronze.

19:51 And David Rudisha is in the lead with 200m to go...

Weightlifting reaction

Quote marksThis was one of the most important lifts in the my career. It is my first win in an international competition and, at 38, I feel like I've used my last chance"
- Canada's George Kobaldadze is glad to finally have struck gold in the over 105kg weightlifting

19:47 Next up is one of the biggest names at Glasgow 2014, Olympic champion and world record holder, David Rudisha over 800m.

The softly-spoken Kenyan gets a thunderous reception from a packed Hampden Park.

Another England win over Oz, this time on the track...

19:42 Glasgow 2014 gold medalGold for England and David Weir punches the air as he crosses the line ahead of big rival Kurt Fearnley of Australia with Canadian Alex Dupont taking bronze.

Weir and Fearnley were wheel-to-wheel taking the bell but the Englishman turned on the gas in the back straight and coming round the final bend he began to stretch his lead and crossed the line in a time of 3:21:67 nearly one-and-a-half seconds clear of Fearnley.

19:36 A frantic few minutes of medals action around the grounds there. But all finished now in the wrestling. Canada and India have dominated competition here, and both country's take to the mat in a post competition celebration...

Now for the tag-team contest...

Indian and Canadian wrestlers celebrate post-competition ©ITG

Glasgow 2014 gold medal19:29 Gold for Angela Ballard of Australia as she powers home in a time of 3:59:20 to take the women's Para-sport 1,500m T54 title ahead of Diane Roy of Canada and Jade Jones of England.

Jones had been vying with Roy coming around the last bend but the Australian found an extra gear with 60m to go and flew passed the other two to cross the line.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal19:23 Ooi Tze Liang of Malaysia wins the 3m springboard diving gold medal. A rare disappointment today for England as Jack Laugher has to be content with silver after missing that final dive.

Compatriot Oliver Dingley takes bronze. It says something that silver and bronze constitutes a disappointing result for the medals table-toppers. 

Athletics action underway

Glasgow 2014 gold medal19:19 First gold of the night at Hampden Park and it goes to Vikas Shive Gowda of India as he registers a throw 63.64 to finish ahead of Apostolos Parellis of Cyprus with bronze going to Jason Morgan of Jamaica.

Eunice Sum of Kenya leads the qualifiers for the women's 800m final elsewhere at Hampden Park. English teenager Jessica Judd is also through, as is veteran Jenny Meadows. Emily Dudgeon of Scotland, who has just finished her second year at Cambridge University incidentally, misses out.

Rings history for Canada and more success for England

Canadian flag19:14 Scott Morgan's gold in the artistic gymnastics rings was a first for Canada in 24 years. The gold before that was won by Curtis Hibbert at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand.

Quote marks"The rest of the team are doing great and for each piece we go on now we can't be frightened for those medals. It's just great to know that we can go from strength to strength"
- Rebecca Downie after England's latest gymnastics victory in The Hydro, this time in the  women's uneven bars

Gold for England in lawn bowls triples

Glasgow 2014 gold medal19:10 England's Sophie Tolchard, Ellen Falkner and Sian Honnor have secured the latest victory over Australia from a rampant red and white team over the last few days. The trio won 22-4 in their lawn bowls triples final  over Lynsey Clarke, Karen Murphy and Kelsey Cottrell.

The match came to a conclusion after 15 ends, with Australia conceding to the 'mercy' rule due to the one-sided nature of the scoreline. 

19:04 Into the closing stages of the diving now and, oh gosh, I was just about to say it will take a failure akin to Peter Kay's belly-flop dive in that memorable John Smith's beer advert of a few years ago to deny England's Jack Laugher gold, but he's only gone and completely messed it up.

It was the dreaded forward 4.5 somersault and it all went wrong unfortunately. Ooi Tze Liang of Malaysia is our new leader.

"After looking comfortable in the gold medal position for four rounds he's now down to second and some 10 points behind Malaysian rival Ooi Tze Liang. This is a big surprise, but team-mate Oliver Dingley is performing above expectations and currently in the bronze medal position."

18:59 Another good day for Canada. As well as the rings win just now, Danielle Lappage secured one of two Canadian victories on the final day of wrestling action.

Danielle Lappage of Canada celebrates under 63 kilogram gold ©Getty Images

Glasgow 2014 gold medal18:50 Canada end the gymnastics with a one, two as Scott Morgan takes gold on the rings!

The Canadian finishes on 15.100 to top team mate Kevin Lytwyn, while Scotland's Daniel Purvis finishes third.

That result is exactly the same as that seen in qualifying, with Morgan, Lytwyn and Purivs taking first, second and third to ensure they took to the rings last. 

Glasgow 2014 gold medal18:48 Tamerlan Tagziev wins the final wrestling gold medal of Glasgow 2014 in the under 86kg division. He beats Andrew Dick of Nigeria 14-4 in a fairly one-sided final.

So Canada level things up with India as far as today is concerned. Two gold medals each by these two Commonwealth powerhouses of the sport.

As well as Prawan Kumar's bronze, the other was taken by Armando Hietbrink of South Africa.

Quote marksI was just thinking of the crowd when I was getting my medal. My mind went blank, I was just so overjoyed and overwhelmed with the whole experience.I knew it was going to be a tough day. You have Smith who has obviously put in amazing results over the past eight years, you have Whitlock who has been in top form during this competition, so the gold could have gone to any of us.
- Scotland's Daniel Keatings reflects on a brilliant gold medal won on the pummel horse.

Daniel Keatings celebrates a gold-medal winning performance in the men's pummel horse ©Getty Images

Nick Butler"Sensational support from an Indian contingent that seems to be growing by the second here as Pawan Kumar edges Muhammad Inam of Pakstan in the under 86kg bronze medal match. 'IN-DI-A' chant the crowd, jumping up on to their feet and shouting in celebration. When he won gold earlier, under 63kg grappler Yogeshwar Dutt ran up the steps - Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon style - to embrace them all. His medals ceremony was then greeted by raucous singing from these travelling fans. I won't remind them of the Test match result earlier..."
- Brilliant Indian support at the SECC where reporter Nick Butler is watching the wrestling.

18:30 Here's a nice story for you now..

After England hockey player Simon Mantell collided with ball girl Anna Walmsley during England's match with New Zealand on Tuesday, with the latter suffering a broken arm during the collision, Mantell has gifted her with a Team England shirt.

Good on you Simon!

Simon Mantell presents Anna Walmsley with a shirt after knocking her over in England's hockey fixture with New Zealand ©Twitter

18:22 As the men's rings final gets underway at The Hydro, gold medal action is also ongoing over in Edinburgh where the men have taken to the board in the 3m springboard finals.

England's Jack Laugher is continuing his fine form in that as he sits well clear at the top with a score of 172.40 after two dives. His closest competitor is Malaysia's Ooi Tze Liang who has a combined score of 150.30.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal18:14 And Canada have broken the trend.

Danielle Lappage eases clear in the second period to win the women's 63kg gold medal with a 7-0 victory over Geetika Jakhar.

While the two Indian victories were greeted by the sounds of "Mundian To Bach Ke" by Panjabi MC, the latest win is greeted by "Rock Star" by Canadian band Nickelback. Another fitting choice.

As well as the one won by Mantila Epanga of Cameroon, the other bronze medal was taken by Blessing Oborududuof Nigeria

Nick Butler"Contrasting emotions after the women's 63kg bronze medal match as Blandine Mantila Epanga runs around celebrating with the Cameroonian flag in hand, while Sarah Connolly of Wales, with her distinctive pink hair, is left in tears after missing out. Fittingly, the will.i.am and Britney Spears song 'Scream & Shout' booms out afterwards as the duo leave the mat. Both are visibly exhausted as well. It really is a tough sport, conducted at a relentless pace but with every second crucial. It's all good fun though and great to see the crowd, many of whom cannot be too familiar with freestyle wrestling, getting so involved.
Next up is the third India versus Canada final of the evening. Danielle Lappage of Canada is trying to stop the Indian dominance. She leads 1-0 over Geetika Jakhar of India after the first period. There is nothing in this one."
- Reporter Nick Butler bringing us all the latest from the wrestling.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal18:05 Another gold for England! 

This time it's Rebecca Downie who takes top honours as she wins the women's uneven bars!

Her score off 14.666 was just enough to beat Australia's Larrissa Miller on 14.566, while England's Ruby Harrold takes the bronze.

Glasgow 2014 gold medal17:57 Canada's George Kobaldadze has brilliantly claimed gold in the over 105kg weightlifting with a Commonwealth Games record of 400kg after lifting 229kg in the clean and jerk.

It looked like for most of the competition that the gold medal was destined for Nauru's Itte Detenamo but his failure at that weight meant he had to settle for the silver for the second consecutive Games. Australian Damon Kelly, whose clean and jerk record Kobaldadze broke, took the bronze.

BREAKING NEWS

17:53
 We have received a statement from Glasgow 2014

"The small Clydes have now sold out in all venue stores as well as the George Square store – 50,000 altogether."

They add: "Our Commonwealth haggis are still available to buy via our online store."

You better get online quick, those haggis' will sell out quicker than Glastonbury tickets...

17:45 One of the most impressive things about Louis Smith's bronze medal performance in my opinion, is not the fact that he only announced his return to the sport in January of this year, but the fact that he can keep his hair looking so pristine even after a routine on the pummel horse. Every time I stand up mine looks like I've driven through a wind-tunnel. At 300mph...

Triple gold for Whitlock and Fragapane

Claudia Fragapane ©Getty ImagesMax Whitlock ©Getty Images











Quote marks"I can't believe it. We were just happy with getting the gold for team, so for me to come out with individual and also vault is just absolutely incredible."

'Literally, I never think it's going to be good when it's actually amazing. I was just waiting for the scores to come through and when I saw it, my heart just sank.'
- Claudia Fragapane on her third gold medal of the Games, this one in the vault.

17:37 Australia's Damon Kelly has just taken the lead in the over 105kg weightlifting by lifting 203kg relatively comfortably in the clean and jerk.

With his big bushy beard I can't help but wonder if he is a relative of another famous Australian Kelly, Ned.

Damon KellyNed Kelly

Glasgow 2014 gold medal17:34 And gold goes to Yogeshwar Dutt of India in the 65kg men's category.

Rampant celebrations from the Indian contingent as Yogeshwar Dutt wins gold.

Another final defeat for Canada as Jevon Balfour has to be content with silver. He got smashed 10-0 in the first period.

17:32 Alex Gladkov holds on to win bronze by a margin of 22-16 in the loudest roar seem in this arena since the Renick sisters were in judo action last week.

He has an interesting background, Gladkov. Born in Lugansk in Eastern Ukraine on the border with Russia,he grew up in Germany and originally came to Scotland when his father, Vladimir, got a job as coach to our national wrestling squad. He now lives in the east end of Glasgow and trains at the Emirates Arena. But his grandfather, ­Leonid, still lives in Ukraine, where tension remains high as pro-Russian continues to protest against the new Government in Kyiv.

He was wrestling like a rampaging Ukrainian bear, with just a hint of Robert the Bruce.

17:30 A thriller of a bronze medal match going on at the moment as Alex Gladkov of Scotland leads Sri Lankan opponent Chamara Perera 15-13 after the first period. The first bronze medal was awarded to Sampson Clarkson of Nigeria a few moments ago.

Duncan Mackay new"The press box at the weightlifting has much more space now the Singapore journalists have just packed up and decided to leave. Perhaps 'The Birdie Song' was too much. Or maybe it is because their two lifters are out of contention for the medals. They leave to the strains of 'Donald Where's Your Troosers?'. They all have trousers on and I don't think any of them are called Donald. So I think the DJ's choice is just a coincidence."
- Editor Duncan Mackay has space to stretch out now at the Armadillo. 

17:28 These lifters from the Pacific Islands are great showmen. Niue's Daniel Nemani has just narrowly failed an attempt in the clean and jerk at 182kg but you had the crowd on their feet doing it.

Has anyone else failed at Glasgow 2014 and got the sort of reception he just did?"

17:25 England's Max Whitlock must have gotten lost as he made his way onto the silver medal position of the medal podium. The every-handy Early of Wessex is on hand to show him the way, however.

Nick Butler"After a leisurely walk back along the river to every journalist's second home that is the SECC Precinct, I arrived just in time to see Barita Kumari of India pick up the first wrestling gold of the day. A diminutive figure she may have been, but utterly dominant on the mat and some great celebrations off it, running around with the national flag. Incidentally, among the many spectators I passed on the way here, I spotted Prince Imran of Malaysia, the President of the CGF no less, wandering around. It's amazing how low key he is in comparison with the IOC boss. Only hope is he doesn't have to unscrew anything during his walk..."
- Reporter Nick Butler has made his way to the SECC for tonight's wrestling.

Remember that there are two forms of wrestling on the Olympic programme - freestyle and Greco Roman - but only the former is featuring on the programme here in Glasgow.

While both have the same objective of dispatching the opponent onto the mat on their back to win a point, the difference is that, in Greco-Roman, participants can only use their arms and trunk to attack and immobilise their adversary, while in freestyle participants can also use their legs.

In case you are unfamiliar with the sport, the winner is declared by the addition of points accrued over two periods, with bouts declared over automatically if one wrestler takes a 10 point lead.

17:18 After that gold, it's time for I'm On My Way by The Proclaimers, obviously. 

Don't worry if you haven't heard of that one, it took at least four of us journalists here at The Hydro to identify this one...

Glasgow 2014 gold medal17:16 Keatings has done it!

The Scot's score of 16.058 is enough for the gold as Max Whitlock scores 15.966 in the final attempt of the contest.

Massive cheers inside The Hydro. That's the first gold to fall outside of England in this artistic gymnastics competition here in Glasgow.

Louis Smith finishes in third with his effort of 14.966.

Duncan Mackay new"Nigeria's Dung Williams has injured himself attempting a clean and jerk and is going to be taken off stage in a wheelchair. While he is being attended too by medics, a group of volunteers are trying to shield him by standing in front of him with a giant Glasgow 2014 banner. But with 75 per cent of the crowd sat in the top tier of the Armadillo it is fairly easy for them to see over their heads."
- I think some volunteers over at the Armadillo forgot to do their angles homework back in their school days.

17:09 A valiant effort by Smith as he moves into second on 14.966. Quite a ways off Daniel Keatings in first, it must be said.

17:06 A big moment for England's Louis Smith as he takes to the pummel horse, an apparatus he won gold on during Melbourne 2006, not to mention medals at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Duncan Mackay new"The Singaporean journalists next to me are looking a bit confused. And no wonder we've just had 'Walk this Way' by Aerosmith followed by 'The Birdie Song'."
- Back to on the music vibe is our editor Duncan Mackay.



17:03
The biggest cheers of the night are met with the biggest smile of the night as Scotland's Daniel Keatings goes top with a whopping 16.058. That's the biggest score of the night too!!

Game on here at The Hydro!

Glasgow 2014 gold medal16:56 In the wrestling, Babita Kumari of India has won gold in the women's under 55kg freestyle category!

A 9-2 point victory for the Indian, as her Canadian opponnet Brittanee Laverdure is left prostrate on the mat for a few minutes afterwards. She seems all right though, eventually. The two bronze medals were won by Ifeoma Nwoye of Nigeria and Louisa Porogovska of England.

Duncan Mackay new"The most famous weightlifter from Nauru is Marcus Stephen, who won 12 of his country's 28 Commonwealth Games medals between Auckland 1990 and Manchester 2002, including seven gold (or to put it another way he has won 70 per cent of all Nauru's gold medals...) He subsequently became President of the country."
- Editor Duncan Mackay with all the latest facts from the weightlifting. 

16:52 Quite the contest about to get underway now at The Hydro as competitors for the men's pummel horse take to the stage.

The line up consists of a certain Louis Smith, one of the faces of these Games; Max Whitlock, one of the stars of these Games; and Daniel Purvis and Daniel Keatings, two of the favourites at these Games.

16:47
Sticking with the weightlifting, and at the end of the snatch it is the man from Nauru, Detenamo, who leads, having lifted 174kg. He is ahead of Canada's George Kobaladze and Australia's Damon Kelly, who have both managed 171kg.

Duncan Mackay new"Another Pacific Islander to watch, quite clearly from the ease with which he's just lifted 170kg, is Itte Detenamo from Nauru. He was the silver medallist at Delhi four years ago and third at Melbourne in 2006. Nauru's population is less than 10,000 but remarkably is the 19th most successful country in the history of the Commonwealth Games, even though they only made their debut at Auckland in 1990. They have won a total of 28 medals, including 10 gold - every single one in weightlifting."
- Editor Duncan Mackay brings all the latest from the weightlifting.

16:38 Over at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, Scotland's men's team fell toa5-0 defeat by Australia in the day's penultimate fixture. The defending champions sit top of Pool A after going unbeaten in these preliminary stages. They will face England in what should prove a fierce semi-final encounter.

Scotland, on the other hand, will go into a seventh and eighth place play-off with Malaysia. 

Quote marks''It was a good hit-out before the semis. Obviously, that's what we are here for.''''We'll watch as much video as possible and we'll give them [England] a red hot crack in a couple of days time.''
- Australian forward Matt Gohdes reflects on the win and their next fixture against England.

Duncan Mackay new"There is Royalty here for the last day of Glasgow 2014 weightlifting with Prince Imran, the Malaysian President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, on hand to present the medals along with Dr Tamás Aján, head of the International Weightlifting Federation. Aján is Hungarian but has attended the last ten Commonwealth Games and told a wonderful story at the media briefing last week about how, at Edmonton in 1978, the Queen ignored Royal protocol to stay and watch the end of a weightlifting while he sat next to her and explained what was happening."
- Editor Duncan Mackay is joined by Royalty at the Clyde Auditorium. 

Glasgow 2014 gold medal16:30 She's done it!! Gold number three for Fragapane!

She was first in qualifying and she's first again here tonight as she scores 14.633 for her two vaults! 

Canada's Elisabeth Black finishes second for silver, her first medal at these Games, while Dipa Karmakar of India takes the bronze.

16:25 Karmakar goes into second after her two vaults. Last up it's England's Claudia Fragapane. Will it be three for the 16-year-old?

16:15 In the women's vault here at The Hydro, it's a Canadian one, two with Elsabeth Black leading Maegan Chant. England's Kelly Simm sits behind them in third. Just two left to jump...

Ohh, and One Week by Barenaked Ladies is blasting out over the speakers whilst we wait for India's Dipa Karmakar to make her vaults... 

There truly is an exquisite playlist here in Glasgow for these Games...

Duncan Mackay new"Where else, but Glasgow 2014, could you hear 'Sexy and I Know It' by LMFAO and 'Donald Where's Your Troosers?' by Andy Stewart in the space of just a few minutes and it be considered perfectly normal?"
- Editor Duncan Mackay bamboozled by the music variation here in Glasgow. You should come to a karaoke night at the Osborne household Duncan...

Quote marksI am so happy with it. It's amazing but I've got to focus on the next two apparatus now. It gives me a lot of confidence and it makes me chill out a bit more as well. With those three gold medals I can just go enjoy the rest of the experience now and just try to stay as relaxed as I can.
- Max Whitlock reflects on his third gold medal here in Glasgow.

16:03 Max Whitlock's gold medal means he is the first male at these Games to win three gold medals. 

He's also becomes the first artistic gymnast from England to claim three gold medals in one single Commonwealth Games edition and now sits just won medal short of becoming the most decorated English athlete in men's artistic gymnastics with six medals.

Duncan Mackay new"The Glasgow 2014 weightlifting is closing with the over 105kg competition - the real heavyweights of the sport. There is a large Singapore presence in the press box as they have two competitors and clearly fancy their chances. But I am told, by those who know, that the man to watch is Daniel Nemani, a 33-year-old from Niue. He finished sixth in New Delhi four years ago and is seeking to continue the remarkable success of lifters from the Pacific Islands here. Niue has never won a medal in the Commonwealth Games. But then so hadn't Kiribati until last night's 105kg when David Katoatau triumphed in what many people are calling the moment of the Games."
- Editor Duncan Mackay with all the top weightlifting tips over at the Armadillo.

15:55 That must be the first medal ceremony I've ever seen where the winner was wearing no shoes... Great performance by Max Whitlock on the floor, though. 

It's now time for the women's vault final here at The Hydro with England's double gold medallist from these Games, Claudia Fragapane, looking to follow in the footsteps of her compatriot Whitlock and claim a third. 

Paul Osborne"Now, I'll be the first to admit that I've not seen a great deal of live gymnastics in my time. With this in mind, I've just been completely blown away by a performance, not by one of the elite's who, of course, have been overly impressive in this competition, but one by two members of the GB Junior Acro squad. During the break, as Whitlock and co await their medal ceremony, the little duo tore up the mat with a stunning showcase of strength, flexibility and grace, that had the packed crowds, myself included, clapping like seals throughout. Great stuff girls! Anyway, enough of my ramblings, it's time for Max "The Wizard" Whitlock to collect his well deserved third medal of these Games. I hope the roof's been reinforced..."
- Reporter Paul Osborne showing unrivaled enthusiasm in the Hydro Arena.

English flag15:46 That gold medal for Alex Dowsett a few minutes ago was the first ever English gold medal in either the men's or women's individual time trial. That is quite an amazing stat considering how successful English riders have been in the event in recent times.

On Scottish shores at Edinburgh 1986, Paul Curran won the road race and England won the team time trial for the country's previous gold medals in road cycling. This was England's eighth gold medal in road cycling. Only Australia has more, with 17.

Duncan Mackay new"Back at the Clyde Auditorium for the last day of the weightlifting, a sport here which has provided drama and controversy in equal measures at these Games. I arrive just as the judges and officials are being introduced to another full arena to the thumping beat of 'Sexy and I Know It' by LMFAO – surely a first for the men in blazers. The Tongan doctor Lisimoni Kami gets a special cheer from the Scottish crowd for waving a giant Glasgow 2014 foam hand."
- Editor Duncan Mackay at the weightlifting. Is there any song he is not familiar with? I never thought I'd hear him talking about the "thumping beats of 'Sexy and I Know It'"...

Are Australia really smashing the Poms?

15:37 That double-triumph for England deems it an appropriate time to revisit the front-page of yesterday's Herald Sun newspaper.

The Herald Sun Newspaper ©Herald Sun




15:36
But with swimming now a distant memory, England are stretching their lead. And Australia have problems away from the action, with their athletics head coach having been sent home, and a bronze-medal winning weightlifter being arrested for an altercation in the Athletes' Village.

Whitlock floors the opposition again with third gold medal


Glasgow 2014 gold medal15:34 Max Whitlock really is in a class of his own! He takes the floor gold with that score of 15.553. Canada's Scott Morgan is the last to take to the floor and scores a respectable 15.133 for silver.

That leaves New Zealand's David Bishop to scoop up bronze while Scotland's Daniel Keatings is knocked down to fourth.

Paul Osborne"I've just made the short trip from the SECC over to The Hydro where this evening's artistic gymnastics are getting underway. Welcomed through the doors by Queen's We Will Rock You, timed perfectly for my entrance I assume, and it's straight to the mat where we have the men's floors final. England's Max Whitlock, who holds two gold medals already, takes the lead with a brilliant routine worth 15.553."
- Paul Osborne is in the Hydro Arena expecting to see more English gold.

Gold for Dowsett of England in the time trial

15:28 England have extended their lead at the top of the medals table by another one following that success. They are now four gold medals ahead of Australia. Is daylight opening, I wonder?

15:24 Svein Tuft of Canada and Jesse Sergent of New Zealand finish fourth and fifth, but there is no changing the top three, Silver for Rohan Dennis of Australia and bronze for Geraint Thomas of Wales.

Defending champion David Millar finishes down in eighth place. 

15:22 Dowsett won the silver medal at Delhi 2010 in this event and holds a best World Championship finish of 8th in 2012. But he didn't even ride at the Olympic Games that year after Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, the eventual gold and bronze medal winners, took the two spots in the British team. 

The Englishman has certainly taken his opportunity today. He must have seen how Linda Villumsen finished so strongly in the women's race, and he did the same thing here.

Alex Dowsett en route to time trial victory ©Getty Images

Glasgow 2014 gold medal15:16 What the heck. There are still riders on the course, but I am hanging the gold medal around his neck. No one is going to beat him now Alex Dowsett will win the men's individual time trial after clocking 47:41:78.

He's somehow put 15 seconds into the Australian Dennis over the final few kilometres.

15:15 And Dowsett takes the lead!

15:14 great to see these riders giving it everything over the final kilometres. Rocking and rolling in the saddle. This is great sport. Here comes Dowsett. What has he got?

15:12 Up to the line, and over the line! Dennis of Australia stops the clock at 47:51.08 and is our new leader!

15:11 But here comes Rohan Dennis...

15:08 Geraint Thomas crosses the line in 47.55.82. He is our new leader but the men who could beat him are still out on the road. 

Two of the other pre-competition favourites, defending champion David Millar of Scotland and Australian Luke Durbridge, were down in 8th and 9th respectively at the second check-point. Neither will feature on the podium. 

15:06 It's all to play for in the time trial now. Rohan Dennis of Australia leads at the 32km check-point, by four seconds from Geraint Thomas, with Alex Dowsett of England in third just one further second behind. 

It's looking like a fight between these three at the moment. 

15:02 A great start in the badminton mixed doubles for England's husband and wife pair Gabby and Chris Adcock.

They won the first game 21-17 and are 18-10 up in the second over Vivian Kah Mun Hoo and Wee Kiong Tan of Malaysia.

14:59 A quick tour around the grounds before we focus again on the cycling. Australia have moved 3-0 up on hosts Scotland in men's hockey, with Chris Ciriello putting the gold medal favourites ahead after 18 minutes before quick brace from Matt Gohdes.

A semi-final with England is on the cards. 

English flag14:55 England's Jack Laugher is favourite for a second gold medal in consecutive days after qualifying for the 3m springboard final in first position. The 19-year-old won gold in the 1m springboard at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh yesterday and appeared a different class from his rivals again this morning.

Roseline Filion of Canada and Rinong Pandelela Pamg of Malaysia topped the five-dive round in the women's 10m platform preliminary, standing level on 348.80 points. But England's youngest competitor at Glasgow 2014, 13-year-old Victoria Vincent, is safely through after qualifying in a creditable eighth position. 

Both finals will take place this evening.

14:49 So, a change in the proverbial insidethegames commentary box as Paul Osborne disappears in the direction of the gymnastics, and Nick Butler takes over for the conclusion of the time trial.

All the big names are now out on the road and Geraint Thomas of Wales holds a huge, 40 second lead after 26.4km. Svein Tuft of Canada is second with Steve Cummings of England third. 

Geraint Thomas of Wales rides past the Tolbooth in the early stage of his time trial ©Getty Images

Nick Butler"Janvier Hadi of Rwanda's time to beat is 54:44:14 and he still has a lead of almost two minutes on all the other finishes, with compatriot Valens Ndayisenga lying second. The Rwanda team is coached by Jacques Boyer, the American who in 1981, became the first US rider to participate in the Tour de France. He has been based in central African country since 2007 and has engineered seismic improvements. We've been wondering a while, could Africa excel in endurance sports other than distance running, given the right support and infrastructure? It hasn't really happed yet, but we are getting a first glimpse today. And it's been great fun watching all the less fancied riders compete. In comparison with the stereotypical elite cyclist, they come in all shapes and sizes, and many are not even riding time trial bikes. It's great experience for them to ride alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
Speaking of these bigger names, some of them are just beginning their rides, including Svein Tuft of Canada, Luke Rowe of Wales and Steve Cummings of England... Expect the leaderboard to start changing soon.

- Reporter Nick Butler enjoying the underdogs over at the time trial. But it looks like the leaderboard will be changing awfully soon...

Quote marks"I've been ill for about four days after I did the triathlon, so I have still not recovered. I've been doing triathlons for about 10 years and I wanted to do one here. Then I found out that they had changed the rules and you had to be taken out if you got caught on the cycling lap [in triathlon]. I'd probably not have done it if I had known that. I think I could've taken a minute off my time today if I didn't have a bug."
- Christopher Symonds is currently 20th in the clubhouse after the time trial. One of the most interest figures at these Games, the Ghanaian also competed in the triathlon here in Glasgow, where he was lapped on the bike course, and the rest of a time is a doorman at the House of Commons, "The people there, they are nice guys," he added.


About the author

Duncan Mackay Editor

Duncan Mackay

Duncan Mackay is the founding editor of insidethegames.biz, the world’s leading and most influential independent Olympic news website. He was voted the British Sports Writer of the Year in 2004, British News Story of the Year in 2004 and British Sports Internet Reporter of the Year in 2009. Mackay is one of Britain's best-connected journalists and during the 16 years he worked at The Guardian and The Observer he regularly broke several major exclusive stories. He was also the only newspaper journalist in Britain to correctly predict that London would win its bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


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