Gymnast Ward goes from Glasgow dreamer to gold medallist

Reuben Ward achieved his lifelong dream of winning Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland, securing the all-around gymnastics title in Glasgow. The 21-year-old's victory fulfilled a childhood ambition sparked 12 years ago when he watched the Games in the same city.

Ward, whose parents are from East Kilbride, was inspired by a previous Scottish gold medalist. "I remember seeing him win and seeing how it was a big deal to people and I thought 'I want to do that'," Ward told BBC Sport Scotland. "So to be here now, having done it myself, is spectacular. It's such a full-circle moment."

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I remember seeing him win and seeing how it was a big deal to people and I thought 'I want to do that'. So to be here now, having done it myself, is spectacular. It's such a full-circle moment. Glasgow and East Kilbride have been like second homes to me my entire life so to do it here is incredibly special.

He sat seventh after the floor exercise but surged into the lead with a strong pommel horse routine, his best event. After maintaining his advantage through the rings and a well-executed vault, Ward held a 0.550 lead going into the final horizontal bar routine. He secured the gold medal with a strong performance, prompting an emotional celebration with his coach.

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I like to imagine the best scenario possible and that was winning. It kept me awake a little bit because I was picturing it and feeling the emotions. But this beat the expectations by a mile.

"I like to imagine the best scenario possible and that was winning," Ward added. "It kept me awake a little bit because I was picturing it and feeling the emotions. But this beat the expectations by a mile."

Ward also has opportunities to win more medals in the floor, rings, and pommel events later in the Games.

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Falling short on Friday was heart-breaking and I'm just so overwhelmed, man. I can barely put words together.