Well, that’s it folks – the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast has now come to a conclusion, meaning no more events in the Games until Birmingham 2022. But, just how did the Home Nations fare this time round? Read on as The Big Shoot tells you all you need to know.
Overall Performance
Taking full advantage of the fact the Games were held on home turf, Australia were able to blow the competition out of the water with an incredible medal haul of 198. Despite their best attempts, England were unable to catch up with their rivals down under. However, they still finished second across all events with a total of 136 medals.
Wales stormed to their greatest ever performance in the Commonwealth Games this time round, earning themselves a total of 36 medals across all events. This included 10 Gold, 12 Silver, and 14 Bronze. This meant that Team Wales were able to finish seventh in the table.
Team Scotland on the other hand were able to earn a total of 44 medals across all events, including 9 Gold, 13 Silver, and 22 Bronze. Despite their superior number of medals when compared with Wales, their inferior number of Gold medals meant that they finished just below Wales in 8th position. Elsewhere in the Home Nations, Northern Ireland finished in 20th position with a medal haul of 12 (1 Gold, 7 Silver, 4 Bronze), with the Isle of Man earning themselves 1 medal in total (Silver).
Performance In The Shooting Events
The Home Nations performed considerably well this year across all events. But, just how did they get on in the shooting category? Well, The Big Shoot has you covered. Read on as we spill the beans!
In terms of overall results across all nations, India were able to finish at the top of the standings in the shooting events this time round, earning themselves a grand total of 16 medals (7 Gold, 4 Silver, and 5 Bronze). Hosts Australia came in second, with a total of 9 medals (3 Gold, 5 Silver, and 1 Bronze).
Across the Home Nations, Team England were able to finish third in the shooting category. This included a silver medal in the Men’s Trap, won by Aaron Heading. In the women’s events, Amber Hill was able to earn a silver medal in the Trap shooting category. Overall, England were able to win 2 Gold, 2 Silver, and 4 Bronze in the shooting events.
Team Wales also performed well in the shooting events with 5 medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze), with clay shooter Ben Llewellin earning himself a silver medal in the Skeet event. David Phelps and Michael Wixey were able to storm to Gold medal winning performances, in the 50 metre rifle prone and Trap events respectively.
Team Scotland finished with a medal haul of 6 in the shooting events (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze). David McMath earned Scotland’s only Gold medal in the Double trap, with a Silver earned by Neil Stirton in the 50 metre rifle prone.
Team Northern Ireland were able to earn two medals in the shooting events, with Gareth McAuley finishing with a Bronze medal in the Skeet event. Elsewhere, Kirsty Barr earned a Silver medal in
Finally, Isle of Man were able to place themselves on the medal table courtesy of Tim Kneale – earning himself a Silver medal in the Double Trap event.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Games are now said and done for another four years. With plenty of shooting action gracing our screens over the last week, we’ve been in for some awesome shooting action, that’s for sure! Overall, the Home Nations did their countries proud, but we’re sure next time round, they will look to improve to keep up with high flyers India and Australia in the shooting events.