Australia top medals standings at 2022 Commonwealth Games

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The 2022 Commonwealth Games proved to be a successful event for Australia, as they picked up the most gold medals (67) and topped the medals list (178) ahead of England and Canada, respectively.

Here is a look at some of the highs and lows for the Australian competitors at the Games.

Oliver Hoare wins biggest prize of his career

Middle-distance runner Oliver Hoare produced the best performance of his career to win the gold medal in the men’s 1500 metres. The 25-year-old clocked a time of 3:30.12, which was not just a PB, but also a Commonwealth Games record.

Hoare finished ahead of Timothy Cheruiyot and Jake Wightman, respectively. It was a huge improvement from the Australian, who could only finish 18th in the recent World Championships in Eugene.

The man from Sydney was in fourth place as he approached the final bend in Birmingham. He then chose to make his move, finding a strong turn of foot to go past his rivals in lane three.

Hoare became the first Australian to win the men’s 1500 metres event at the Commonwealth Games since the great Herb Elliott in 1958.

Jessica Stenson outstays rivals in women’s marathon

Versatile runner Jessica Stenson proved she has the stamina at the highest level with her victory in the women’s marathon in Birmingham. She ensured the race was run at a strong pace, a pace at which not many of her biggest rivals could keep up.

Stenson prevailed by 29 seconds with a time of 2:27:31. She is now a medal holder in the marathon in three Commonwealth Games. The Australian won bronze in Glasgow in 2014, while four years later, in front of her home crowd, she once again came third to pick up bronze on the Gold Coast.

The route in Birmingham was a tough test for the marathon field as it involved numerous twists and uphill phases. Stenson, who appeared to be fresh following a sustained period of rest leading into the Games, became the sixth Australian in the last 10 editions to win the women’s marathon.

Kurtis Marschall (Mark Shearman)

Kurtis Marschall and Nina Kennedy win pole vault gold

Kurtis Marschall and Nina Kennedy ensured Australia dominated the pole vault at the Games, as they won gold in the men’s and women’s events respectively. Marschall claimed the first prize four years ago on the Gold Coast, and he was also to defend his title.

The two-time Commonwealth champion cleared 5.70m, which meant he matched what Steve Hooker achieved in this event, prevailing in…