(Sports news) 17 year old Marfa Ekimova made history at the Commonwealth Games by winning England’s first ever gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics, scoring 112.300 overall. Leading from the start, Ekimova reached the top scores in the hoop and clubs. What followed was an exciting final with Cyprus' Anna Sokolova on the heels of Ekimova, chasing the score until the final discipline. Ekimova also won the bronze medal on Thursday with compatriots Saffron Severn and Alice Leaper. 

Speaking after winning the gold medal, Ekimova said “It's amazing, incredible, it's a dream come true. Anything a gymnast could ever wish for. It was madness, a roaring crowd – I didn't know what the scores were going to be, I just knew I did the best I could do. I wanted to make my country proud and my family at home. I hope to inspire the kids in the crowd, I want them to be rhythmic gymnasts and this sport to carry on through the generations." 

Going into the final discipline, Ekimova was 0.700 points ahead, posting a score of 27.100 which meant she was on top and assured of a medal before the final two gymnasts performed. Needing 27.800 points, Sokolova could only manage 27.600, earning her a silver medal while Australia's Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva took the bronze medal. 

England last won a medal at the individual all round in 1994 when Debbie Southwick won bronze in Canada while their last medal in rhythmic gymnastics was in 2010 (bronze medal). Leaper finished 11th, while Scotland's Louise Christie finished 10th and Wales' Elizabeth Popova and Gemma Frizelle finished 12th and 13th respectively. Ekimova will now participate in the ball, hoop and ribbon individual finals on Sunday.

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