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Leeds Beckett graduate wins first gold medal of the 2022 Commonwealth Games
The Olympic gold and silver medallist won the first gold medal event at this year’s Commonwealth Games after catching New Zealand rival Hayden Wilde in a thrilling final run.
Alex overturned a 16 second deficit in the final run against Wilde, who dominated the swim and bike portion of the event, to take gold in his Commonwealth Games debut.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race Alex said:
"I feel extremely grateful and proud to be a triathlete. It's an amazing day for triathlon and I feel super proud to be the winner of this event."
Fellow graduate Georgia Taylor-Brown claimed silver in her maiden Commonwealth Games in the women’s sprint race.
Georgia finished behind rival Flora Duffy from Bermuda, while Scotland’s Beth Potter claimed bronze.
Beth works with Leeds Beckett University’s Head of Athletics Andrew Henderson, who supports Beth with her running training.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Georgia said:
“In the run I just didn’t have the legs today, I’ve felt flat all day so I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. I think considering how I felt before the race I’m extra happy.
“It was tough conditions today and the course was so hard on the run but the crowd were absolutely incredible and to be at the front with Flora gave me goosebumps, it was incredible out there.
“It’s quite special (to get a medal) but I’m getting bored of finishing second to Flora so we need to change that and with Alex getting his gold medal this morning I’m a bit gutted I couldn’t copy him.”
The triathletes will have a couple of days to recover before Alex and Georgia join forces to compete for Team England in the mixed team relay event on Sunday 31 July.