Wilson wins historic bowls gold medal

August 9, 2022 BY The Bendigo Times

Rolled gold: Aaron Wilson, who honed his craft at the Bendigo Bowling Club, has claimed his second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men's singles. Photo: ISAAC PARKIN/ PA

AARON Wilson has only one regret after becoming the first lawn bowler in forty-four years to win consecutive men’s singles gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.

“I wish I had a better rig, but that’s life,” Wilson said after ripping off his shirt and jumping for joy in a repeat of his celebrations on the Gold Coast four years.

“That body has been well seasoned.”

A Bendigo Bowling Club product, Wilson trounced Northern Island’s Garry Kelly 21-3 in a Saturday’s singles final, and if lawn bowls can be brutal, this was it.

Wilson raced to a 12-0 lead on route to becoming the first man since England’s David Bryant to snare consecutive singles golds.

Bryant won the last of his four successive titles in 1978.

Wilson delivered Australia’s second lawn bowls gold of the day, following the earlier success of Ellen Ryan and Kristina Krstic in the women’s pairs.

– AAP