Australia's Louise Hoskins celebrates 'amazing' bowls win to make history as oldest ever Commonwealth gold medallist at 2026 Glasgow Games
Published 02/08/2026 at 15:18 GMT+1
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At 76, Australia's Louise Hoskins became the oldest ever gold medallist in the Commonwealth Games. She and Serena Bonnell scored a brilliant victory on Sunday in Glasgow to make history in the Para women’s pairs B6-B8 classification.
Hoskins, 76, wins unbelievable gold in the women's pairs B6-B8 with Bonnell
Video credit: TNT Sports
It appeared that a third, decisive set would be needed in the final match between the Aussies and their New Zealand rivals, given Australia had taken the first set 6-3, but then they were trailing in the second.
All eyes were on Bonnell as she attempted the last throw of the match, and her expertly placed final delivery was enough to secure a 4-4 draw for her country.
It meant that, with the first set already in their favour, sharing the second set was decisively in their favour at the Games.
The commentator was left in no doubt about just how good a shot that was from Bonnell, at the death, and under enormous pressure.
He exclaimed: ”She's got the three to win it! What a ball! How about that? The ball of your life. What a shot, what a trail! That was the perfect ball from Serena Bonnell. The hardest shot of the game.”
The pair collected their medals as Australia continued their generally impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and both of the players spoke to TNT Sports at the end of the match.
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'We're ecstatic' - Team Scotland react to 'pure dead brilliant' bowls gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Bonnell's husband, Tony Bonnell, is also an elite lawn bowler. In 2018, he won a gold medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
The pair have often competed alongside each other, but eight years after his win, Serena now has a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games of her own.
Asked about their shared talents on the lawn, Bonnell joked that hers was the more impressive of the two achievements, saying: ”Mine is more recent!”
Hoskins was asked about the brilliant delivery from Bonnell that served to make her the oldest gold medallist in Commonwealth Games history, aged 76.
She praised her team-mate's abilities, but made it known that she had every confidence that Bonnell would get the job done when it mattered.
Hoskins said: ”It was amazing. That last bowl, she had that all the way. I could see. I was so excited. Great bowl.”
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Finally, she was asked about her history-making feat, and said that it was one of the highlights of her life.
”It is amazing,” she said. ”It’s so amazing. I will never forget this.”
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