NEW DELHI, India, CMC – Cydonie Mothersill won Cayman Islands’ first gold medal at a Commonwealth Games when she captured the women’s 200 metres yesterday. The 32-year-old clocked 22.89 seconds to cross the line ahead of England’s Abiodun Oyepitan in a season-best 23.26, with Canada’s Adrienne Power holding on for bronze in 23.52.
Mothersill was off to a great start and emerged from the curve in front, to storm down the stretch to win handsomely.
“Oh my gosh! I am so excited to bring home the gold. It’s my first one and I am savouring the moment,” she said. “I am going to be so happy. I have welcomed the challenges because I have Cayman soul. God is good! It’s such a surreal feeling I can’t even explain. I’m excited beyond belief.”
Running out of lane six, Mothersill was forced to stave off a challenge from England’s Joice Maduaka in the early stages but she burst through the curve and begun to open up a strong lead.
Oyepitan, in lane four, went in pursuit but there was never any real doubt over the outcome. “Once the gun went off I drove out and coming off the curve I knew it, I felt it that no matter what if someone pulled up with me, the desire that I had in my heart to cross the finish line first, that was not going to be taken away from me,” Mothersill said.
“I will savour this moment. I will savour every second of this moment.”
There was disappointment for the Caribbean in the women’s 100 metres hurdles, however, as Jamaican Andrea Bliss finished fourth in 13.28 seconds while Trinidadian Aleesha Barber followed her home in fifth in a time of 13.25 seconds.
The event was won by Australia’s Sally Pearson in a time of 12.67 seconds.