Welsh gymnast Ruby Evans earned a gold medal in the floor competition at the Commonwealth Games, marking a significant turnaround after a disappointing performance in the all-around individual final.
On the final day of competition, Evans had two opportunities to secure medals. Her first event was the beam, an apparatus that had been a source of difficulty in the all-around final. She appeared relaxed, drawing a large cheer from the Welsh supporters, which included chef de mission Gethin Jones and Team Wales captain Olivia Breen. Evans delivered a more solid routine, finishing in seventh place, an outcome considered expected.
The main event for Evans was the floor competition, held an hour later. She performed in a custom, sparkly outfit designed to complement the traditional Welsh red, white, and green. Evans was the last of the eight competitors to perform.
England's Abigail Martin had set a strong standard earlier in the competition, and six other gymnasts were unable to surpass it. When it was Evans' turn, her performance was described as one of the most impressive of her career so far. She noted that she uses anger as motivation, stating, "I feel like I perform better when I have a bit of fire in me." She felt her "dragon was absolutely firing" during her routine.
The wait for the judges' verdict was tense, with fellow competitors and the Welsh contingent in the stands anxiously watching. Ultimately, the decision awarded Wales its first gold medal of the Games, a victory that Evans appeared to struggle to believe initially.
Evans is also scheduled to compete in the European Championships later this year.