Gymnast Evans delivers first gold for Wales
Ruby Evans is a world silver medallist in the women's floor
- Published
Gymnast Ruby Evans has won Wales' first Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow with victory in the floor final.
The 19-year-old performed well in the final routine of the women's programme, with silver for England's Abigail Martin, whose team-mate Shantae-Eve Amankwaah took bronze.
Evans left the arena in tears on Sunday after her disappointing sixth in the all-round individual competition, coming after Wales finished fourth in the team event.
Now, after Welsh identical twins Abigail and Emily Roper won bronze medals within a couple of hours of each other on Monday, Evans has delivered gold.
It was the first victory for Team Wales in Scotland and a ninth medal alongside two silver and six bronze.
There is also a guaranteed podium position for boxer Connor Williams after he reached the semi-finals.
How anger drove Evans to golden moment
There was a clean sweep of medals for the home nations in the women's floor final
Evans created history by winning the first women's artistic gymnastics Commonwealth Games gold.
"I probably couldn't be happier," said Evans.
"I couldn't have done any more on that floor and I knew whatever the result was after, I couldn't have done any better.
"'I am just happy that it is a gold."
Evans admitted she had been almost angry when she went out to compete after the disappointment of earlier performances in Glasgow.
"The first day we came here, I did really well and I got through to the all-around final," said Evans.
"That didn't go to plan and it was a very silly mistake, so I was really angry with that.
"So I knew when I came out here I needed to do something for my country and that was the floor routine."
The Welsh national anthem was played for the first time in Glasgow during these Games with Evans at the top of the podium.
"I was really excited to hear the national anthem," said Evans.
"When something like that plays in your brain, you think 'my god I'd love that to happen'.
"To see the dragon on the flag, I was so excited because I am so passionately Welsh."
Evans outlined how she would celebrate before she leaves Glasgow tomorrow.
"I will be just seeing family, maybe go for some food," said Evans. "I think there's tenpin bowling in Team Wales house. I think they want to do all that."
