Scottish para-athlete Rosemary Lenton became a Commonwealth Games gold medallist aged 72. In securing the top spot alongside Pauline Wilson in the women’s B6-B8 pairs final, the Games debutant stunned the field while drawing the appreciation of the Birmingham locals. The former competitive sailor and cyclist suffered complications during surgery two decades ago, leading her to rely on a wheelchair. Lenton, who turns out for Crichton Royal Bowling Club, is also an experienced hand at wheelchair curling- the on-ice equivalent of bowls.

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The Scottish pair squared off against Australian duo Cheryl Lindfield and Serena Bonnell for gold. Tight early doors- tied 5-5 after ten ends- the Scots put together a relentless run to reel off a 17-5 win. It also made her the oldest Scotsperson to win a Games medal and possibly among the oldest in the Games’ history. Speaking after her historic victory, the Dumfries and Galloway resident was visibly exultant:

“Absolutely fantastic. I’m dreaming. We both played excellently. We always knew we could do it. In the round-robin, we didn’t always produce it, but when it really mattered we did, and that’s the important thing. It’s the first time that women’s para bowls has been included. I thought I would never get to a Commonwealth Games and if I did it would be as a spectator. This is effectively our Olympics because we cannot get any higher,” quotes the Independent.

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Her life has come full circle of sorts. In 2002, she had designs on attending the Manchester Games, but her plans were cut short by health issues arising from the flawed surgery. Undeterred by suddenly finding her mobility restricted, Lenton took up wheelchair bowls and curling. In the two decades since, she has three appearances in the World Bowls Championship, winning silver in the mixed pairs event in 2015. Further, she has competed in nine curling World Championships.