Gold Coast: Chad le Clos’s bid to become the Commonwealth Games’ most decorated athlete hit the skids on Friday as Australia’s gold-medal machine clicked into high gear on Gold Coast.
The South African won the 50m butterfly but shortly after, his seventh-place finish in the 200m freestyle halted his tilt at a record 19 medals.
It came as Australia claimed a remarkable five golds in the pool, led by Kyle Chalmers, who won the 200m freestyle and anchored their victory in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
It remained a storming second day for Australia, who grabbed nine gold medals in total to top the table with 14 overall, ahead of England on nine.
Le Clos was unbowed about his attempt to beat or equal the record of 18 medals held jointly by shooters Mick Gault and Philip Adams. The swimmer now has 13 medals with four events left.
Mitch Larkin won the 100m backstroke and Clyde Lewis took out the 400m individual medley — and was so wobbly afterwards he had to abort his poolside interview. Emma McKeon won the 100m butterfly and Cate Campbell set a Games record in her 50m freestyle semi-final, a feat matched by England’s Adam Peaty in the 100m breaststroke semis.
Australia also grabbed two more golds in track cycling, when Stephanie Morton won the women’s sprint and Matt Glaetzer obliterated the field in the men’s keirin.
