Today – the first day of competition in Birmingham - sees 15 of Jersey’s 28-strong Commonwealth Games team in action.
Boxer Tom Frame (pictured top) is in the first round of the men’s light-welterweight competition. It’s being run on a knockout basis, so Tom has to win to progress.
Boxing is one of Jersey’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports. Two Jersey boxers have won medals at previous games: a bronze in the welterweight division for Bert Turmel in Perth, Australia, in 1962; and another bronze, this time for John Sillitoe, in the bantamweight division, in 1986, in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Gymnast Daniel Lee – who’s taking part in his second games – is competing in the qualifiers of the men’s individual event being held at the Arena Birmingham.
Five lawn bowlers will be hoping the rub of the greens go their way. In the men’s triples, Scott Ruderham, Malcolm de Sousa, and Greg Davis, will be facing the Cook Islands and the small Pacific Island of Nuie. Meanwhile, in the men’s pairs Derek Boswell and Ross Davis, face teams from Scotland and Nuie.
And seven swimmers will be hoping to make a splash at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre. Isaac Dodds, Gemma Atherley, Lilly Scott, Jack Allan, Ollie Brehaut, Harry Shalamon and Robbie Jones are in the opening heats of a range of strokes and distances. Back in 2002 Jersey-born swimmer, Simon Militis – who was competing for England – won bronze in the 200m backstroke in Manchester.
Pictured: Jersey has sent a team of 28 athletes along with support staff to the Birmingham Games.
But perhaps most eyes will be on triathlete Ollie Turner, because unlike the other events in which Jersey athletes are competing today, there are medals up for grabs. The race begins at 11.
It’s claimed a tv audience of more than a billion people watched yesterday’s spectacular opening ceremony.
Pictured: Hannah Silcock 'honoured' to be at the Commonwealth Games.
One of the athletes interviewed in the broadcast was 15-year-old Jersey table-tennis player Hannah Silcock. The elated competitor told viewers: "I'm overwhelmed. It's just a great arena and I'm just so honoured to be here. I just feel very lucky and very happy to be here. I appreciated the support from everyone, all my family in Jersey and Scotland, and I wouldn't be able to do this without them."
The honour of carry the team flag went to cyclist Rhys Hidrio, who is competing in the road race and the mountain biking. It’s his second games having gone to the Gold Coast, Australia, in 2018.
Come on Team Jersey! Countdown until Commonwealth Games begin...
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.