In front of an expectant crowd at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, current student and cyclist Sophie Capewell claimed her second silver medal in as many days after finishing runner-up in the Women’s Sprint.
Locked in a fiercely contested best-of-three final against Wales’s Emma Finucane, Capewell was beaten 2-0 but produced another outstanding performance to secure a deserved place on the podium.
There was further success for Loughborough in the event as current student Rhian Edmunds followed up Thursday’s gold with a superb bronze medal. Facing Malaysia’s Nurul Mohd Asri, the Welsh rider sealed a commanding 2-0 victory to claim her second Glasgow 2026 medal.
Over in athletics, New Zealand pair Eliza McCartney and Imogen Ayris won gold and bronze respectively in the Women’s Pole Vault final.
The Kiwi duo – who train under the experienced Scott Simpson at Loughborough – both had stunning evenings to claim sought-after Commonwealth silverware.
McCartney recorded 4.65m and with fewer faults at the same height than closest rival Australian Nina Kennedy, she won an outstanding gold – one better than her silver at Gold Coast 2018.
Ayris maxed out at 4.35m to match her bronze medal from Birmingham 2022.
Elsewhere, University-based Olivia Breen recorded a mammoth jump of 5.09m to win gold in the Women’s Long Jump T38 final.
Team Wales Captain Breen, whose jump was also a Commonwealth Games record, brilliantly defended her title from Gold Coast 2018 and added to her silver medal from Monday’s 100m T38.
Loughborough’s overall medal tally for the Commonwealth Games now stands at 37 – nine gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze.
(L-R) Nina Kennedy (silver), Eliza McCartney (gold), and Imogen Ayris (bronze) celebrate after the Women's Pole Vault Final. Image provided by PA / Alamy.
Sports Scholarships play a vital role in helping athletes thrive. With philanthropic support, student-athletes can seize every opportunity at Loughborough, realise their potential, and strive for success both on and off the field. To donate, visit: www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/commonwealth-games-2026/support-athletes
For all the latest Loughborough news around the Commonwealth Games, visit the dedicated website here: www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/commonwealth-games-2026/
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