James Willstrop wins Commonwealth Games Men's Singles Gold Medal

April 08 2018

It was third time lucky for two times runner-up James Willstrop who won the Gold Medal in the Men’s Singles at the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Oxenford Studios in Gold Coast, Australia.

Willstrop, the fourth seeded Englishman, prevailed in straight games over New Zealand’s No.2 seed Paul Coll.

Both players had endured arduous routes to the final - Willstrop denying home interest in the later stages by beating top Australian Cameron Pilley in an enthralling 95-minute quarter-final battle & Coll surviving a 106-minute semi-final clash with Welshman Joel Makin less than 24 hours before the final.

James Willstrop was in imperious form in the final, claiming his first straight games win since the opening round by beating Coll 11-9 11-4 11-6 in just 47 minutes.

"It just clicked for me in the final," admitted the 34-year-old Englishman. "It's stuff you dream of. It's one of the most brilliant performances I've had in my career. It just worked & it clicked. I don't know why, maybe the hours of solo practice I've put in all my life.

"It's an incredible thing & one of my best performances. I love playing the game & four years ago there were some doubts about that. I can't really process it to be honest, being here with a Gold Medal in the singles ...

“Is it my biggest title? I guess it is. I reckon it probably is the best. It's a wonderful occasion - & the atmosphere & everything around it adds to it."

Malaysia took Bronze in the Men's Singles play-off where 12th seed Nafiizwan Adnan beat Welshman Joel Makin, the No.11 seed, 11-7 6-11 9-11 11-4 11-5 in 81 minutes.

Commonwealth Games Squash, Gold Coast, Australia
Men's Singles Final:
[4] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [2] Paul Coll (NZL) 11-9, 11-4, 11-6
Men’s Bronze Medal Play-off:
[12] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) bt [11] Joel Makin (WAL) 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-5