Gold rush on Day 2 as VIS-supported Gymnasts and Williamson shine

Saturday, 25 July delivered a golden day for VIS-supported athletes, with Sam Williamson striking gold, upsetting England’s Adam Peaty to win the men’s 100m breaststroke final. Australia’s women’s artistic gymnastics team, featuring Breanna Scott, Emily Whitehead and Kate McDonald, added to the tally winning the second gold in the team final with a score of 158.400. VIS-supported athletes also made their mark in netball, where the Australian Diamonds opened their campaign with a dominant 99-38 win over Tonga. 

Williamson delivered the standout individual performance of the day, claiming gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke final in 59.17, ahead of England’s Adam Peaty. The win came just 12 months after Williamson relearned how to walk following a serious knee injury that threatened his path back to the blocks. “To come away with a medal is incredible, to come away with a gold medal is just a dream come true,” Williamson told Channel 7 News, reflecting on his journey to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. 

McDonald, Scott and Whitehead helped Australia secure its first Commonwealth Games women’s artistic gymnastics team gold since 2010, with the team finishing on 158.400. McDonald also booked her place in the uneven bars final, while Scott advances to the individual all-around final. 

There was plenty more for VIS-supported athletes to build on across the pool and the court. Zac Stubblety-Cook finished fifth in the men’s 100m breaststroke final in 1:00.20, and Henry Allan finished fifth in the men’s 50m backstroke final in 24.72. Ella Ramsay advanced to the women’s 100m breaststroke final after finishing third in her semi-final in 1:07.47 and will contest the final tomorrow morning. Tara Kinder displayed a valiant effort in the semi-final of the same event, finishing sixth in 1:08.50 after qualifying from the heats in 1:08.46. 

In netball, the Australian Diamonds, featuring VIS-supported athletes Jo Weston, Kate Moloney, Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin, opened their Glasgow 2026 campaign with a dominant 99-38 win over Tonga. 

• VIS that competed on Day 2: 12
• Debutants that competed on Day 1: 2
• Medals:  
  • 2 Gold
  • 1 Silver

Netball continues tonight with the Diamonds taking on England from 6pm to 9.30pm AEST. In the pool, Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook return for the men’s 50m breaststroke and Henry Allan for the men’s 200m backstroke, with heats from 7.30pm to 9.30pm AEST and finals and semi-finals from 4.05am to 7.05am AEST on 27 July, when Ella Ramsay also contests the women’s 100m breaststroke final. Jacob Cassar begins his boxing campaign in the men’s welterweight 65kg round of 16, from 8pm to midnight AEST, while Tomas Klein and the 3×3 wheelchair basketball team face Kenya from 8.30pm to 12.45am AEST. In artistic gymnastics, Breanna Scott contests the women’s individual all-around final from 3am to 6am AEST on 27 July.  

• 6:00pm-9:30pm (AEST) – Australia v England featuring VIS athletes Joanna Weston, Kate Moloney, Kiera Austin and Sophie Garbin

• 7:30pm-9:30pm (AEST) – Men’s 50m Breaststroke featuring VIS athletes Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook 

• 7:30pm-9:30pm (AEST) – Men’s 200m Backstroke featuring VIS athlete Henry Allan  

• 4:05am–7:05am (27 July AEST) – Women’s 100m Breaststroke Final featuring VIS athlete Ella Ramsay 

• 4:05am–7:05am (27 July AEST) – Men’s 50m Breaststroke Semi-Final potentially featuring VIS athletes Sam Williamson and Zac Stubblety-Cook 

• 4:05am–7:05am (27 July AEST) – Men’s 200m Backstroke Final potentially featuring VIS athlete Henry Allan  

• 8:00pm–12:00am (AEST) – Men’s Welterweight 65kg – Round of 16 featuring VIS athlete Jacob Cassar 

• 8:30pm-12:45am (AEST) – Australia v Kenya featuring VIS athlete Tomas Klein 

• 3:00am-6:00am (27 July AEST) – Women’s Individual All-Around Final featuring VIS athlete Breanna Scott