Day 5 - First up bright and breezy were Pistol Pair Jonathan Patron (4 games) and Daniel Payas (Debut) in the 10m Air Pistol. Despite an eye injury, Jonathan finished in 17th place and Daniel shot consistently to record 554 x 8 and in 14th place.
Speaking after the event Daniel said “I’m very pleased with my performance and finishing 14th in my first Games. Although nerves got the better of me at times, I managed to stay consistent. I’m looking forward to my next event.”
Gibraltar’s two youngest members Mairead Sheriff and Kristina Hewitt were next up on the indoor range at the Belmont Shooting Complex (Brisbane) in the Air Rifle event. In their first Games they both shot 397 with Mairead finishing on 397.9 in 17th spot and Kristina on 397.8 in 18th spot. Valuable experience for the pair which will help as their shooting careers progress.
Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association Secretary General, Joe Schembri, presented the medals for the ladies air rifle event after a tense final which ended in a dead heat between the Indian and Singapore shooters and required a shoot off that was won by the 18 year old shooter from Singapore.
At the Optus Pool Jim Sanderson recorded another National record in the 50m Freestyle race when he powered home in 24:72, the first local swimmer to go under 25 seconds. Speaking after the race about the past couple of days Jim said “Last night was the most experience hearing your country being called out and having 10,000 people cheering for you. It was great having some of Team Gibraltar there to witness it. For me personally it was the best experience and moment I have had in my life so far and hard to beat.” He added “It was nice to break the national in such an incredible atmosphere.”
Gibraltar Commonwealth Games Association President, Harry Murphy, presented the medals for the para breaststroke swimming event at the pool after the culmination of the swimming finals.
Day 6 saw Team Gibraltar taking part in four sports. It was an early start up at the Belmont Shooting Range near Brisbane with Wayne Piri taking to the firing point in the 50m Prone event. Wayne shooting in his fourth games shot below his best recording a score of 593.7.
Next up was Cycling with 2 out of the team of 3 competing. Joey Sheriff was forced to withdraw due to the after effects of illness. Derek Barbara competing in his first ever Games went in the first wave just after 10 o’clock and clocked a very impressive time of 55:16:02 on an un-forgiving course, which would eventually see him finish in 31st place (out of 53 starters).
Julian Bellido riding in his third games went in the second wave of riders. Despite a fall on the return leg he managed to complete the course finishing in 47th place.
Meanwhile over at the Optus pool the last day of swimming action saw our quartet of male swimmers join forces for the 4x100m medley relay. They swam in heat 1 finishing in a time of 4:08:07.
Finally, Athletics and sprinter Jerai Torres ran his second and final race of the games clocking 22:23 for the 200m. Afterwards Jerai said “I’m happy with my performance at the games, I’m where I need to be at this stage of the season.”
