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Marfa Ekimova wins individual all-around gold for England
The 17-year-old impressed to take gold with a combined total of 112.300 to win by just 0.200 as she led after the first rotation.
Team England teenager Marfa Ekimova claimed the individual all-around Commonwealth title with a narrow victory over closest rival Anna Sokolova of Cyprus.
The 17-year-old impressed to take gold with a combined total of 112.300 to win by just 0.200 as she led after the first rotation - claiming 28.850 points - with the hoop before sealing the title with 27.100 in the ribbon.
Ekimova added to her bronze medal in Thursday's team final to be crowned champion, while Australia's Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva completed the podium after finishing with a total of 111.100 points.
Ekimova, who finished fourth overall the previous day, was delighted to see her dream of Commonwealth gold realised.
She said: “It’s been my aim, it’s been my goal, it’s been my dream.
"I did everything I could. I put my heart out on the floor.
“It was a tight one [the difference between gold and silver] but it was incredible and a dream come true.
It’s been my aim, it’s been my goal, it’s been my dream
“It was amazing to have my mum here, my coaches and all the support behind me.
“I spoke to my coaches [after Friday's competition]. They gave me tips and helped me concentrate. I put everything in, and the crowd really helped. I fixed my mistakes and gave even more.”
Ekimova also qualified for Saturday's ball, hoop and ribbon finals with the chance to take her Birmingham 2022 medal tally to five, and admitted she had fallen in love with Gymnastics as a six-year-old.
She added: “I’m just going to start again and go again from zero [on Saturday].
“I was six years old [when I was introduced to Gymnastics]. I tried a lot of different sports, dance and theatre but Gymnastics was my passion."
After the Commonwealth Games, Ekimova is aiming for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, adding: “The Olympics are my goal. I believe I can be in Paris in two years - if I try my best.”