It was a golden Games for Fauldhouse boxer Reese Lynch and the Commonwealth champion insists there’s more to come.
The 21-year-old won the light welterweight Commonwealth Games gold medal after defeating Richarno Colin of Mauritius in the final in Birmingham.
A comfortable first two rounds gave way to a moment of worry after he sustained a cut above his eye but he was able to see out the remainder of the contest and ensure top spot on the podium.
The southpaw wasn’t the only West Lothian athlete to bring home a medal with Shannon Archer writing her name in the history books by becoming the first female Scot to win an individual artistic gymnastics medal at a Games when she bagged bronze in the vault.
A special bronze, too, for Livingston swimmer Craig Benson who helped the 4x100m medley relay team qualify for the final with a fine display in the heats, but wasn’t part of the team as they finished in third.
They helped contribute to a remarkable Team Scotland performance, with the 51 medals won being the highest achieved in a Commonwealth Games outside Scotland.
A delighted Lynch, one of three gold medal boxers, admitted seeing the Scottish flag flying was a proud moment. He said: “It’s brilliant being up there seeing the flag rising. You want to watch it because you know it’s going to the top, No.1 nation. You relish it.
“Three is a record and I’ve said since day one here this team could break records. We’ve been training together since we were young boys. I knew we could achieve great things and we’re still young, still have time on our side. There’s more to come.”
In all, 10 West Lothian athletes represented Team Scotland in Birmingham and they all did the region proud.
Swimmers Emma Russell and Keanna MacInnes helped break national records and reached finals – as did Benson in his individual events.
West Lothian were well represented in the gymnastics alongside Archer, who was part of a sixth-place finish in the women’s team event, West Lothian Artistic Gymnastics boasted coaches John and Becki Campbell while young star Cameron Lynn helped Scotland to fifth place.
Sarah Inglis secured a pair of top-10 finishes in the women’s 5000m and 10,000m events on her Commonwealth Games debut while netball ace Rachel Conway and weightlifter Alice Aitchison both had their first taste of the Commonwealth Games.
Ecclesmachan’s Colin Dalgleish picked up four wins in the table
tennis competitions at his second
Games.
West Lothian Provost, Cathy Muldoon, paid tribute to the athletes and coaches, saying everyone in West Lothian is ‘immensely proud’ of their achievements.
She commented: “Huge congratulations to all the talented West Lothian athletes and coaches who helped Team Scotland achieve their haul of 51 medals.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to take part in the Commonwealth Games, and I’m sure the amazing memories will live with them forever.
“I know everyone in West Lothian is immensely proud of what they have accomplished. Special congratulations must go to our medal winners, with Fauldhouse’s Reese Lynch winning some tough bouts to bring home the Gold in boxing and Uphall’s Shannon Archer becoming the first Scottish female athlete to be placed for a medal with a Bronze medal in artistic gymnastics.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
