Adele’s brilliant fifth at Commonwealth Games

Welshpool’s Adele Nicoll has finished in a brilliant fifth spot at the Commonwealth Games shot put in Glasgow, just six months after competing in bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics.

Following the Milano Cortina Games in February, the 29-year old made the brave decision to turn down the opportunity to do bobsleigh full time in a bid to fulfil her dream of becoming a dual Olympian.

And she believes that mission remains on track despite not quite finding that “big throw” that could have landed her a podium place. Four years ago, she finished eighth in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Adele threw 16.33m, below her 2024 career best of 17.79m, to finish fifth in last night’s final and the multiple-British and Welsh champion was full of optimism afterwards that her target of qualifying for the LA Olympics in 2028 remains on track.

“Although I didn’t connect with a throw to get a big distance I had so much fun out there,” said Adele. “I made it my mission to appreciate every moment because Lord knows I worked for it.

“All I need is more reps and more time to execute a big throw on demand. I didn’t play it safe, I went for it and sometimes it doesn’t come. But it will.”

The gold was won by Canada’s Sarah Mitton (19.88m), with Nigeria’s Jessica Oji (17.87m) taking silver and Jamaica’s Lloydricia Cameron (also 17.87m) taking bronze.

Meanwhile, Dan Jones finished the Commonwealth Games with two bronze medals from the Mixed 4x100 Freestyle and 4x200 Freestyle relays.

His bid for a hat-trick yesterday just fell short despite playing his part to get the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle into the final with a cracking heat. He stepped down for the final to allow double silver medallist Matt Richards to come in, but the team finished seventh in a hugely talented final.

There is still more to come for ‘Team Welshpool’, with Joshua Whitehouse to compete in the judo after the weekend.