How the gymnast overcame a career-threatening injury to become Australia’s most successful female gymnast at the Commonwealth Games
Scroll down to see the complete medal tally after day two of the Commonwealth Games.
Glasgow: Australian gymnast Georgia Godwin finished her floor routine and burst into tears.
After an Achilles injury denied her a start at the Paris Olympics and threatened to end her career, Godwin stepped out in Glasgow and led Australia to their first Commonwealth Games team gold in 16 years – and become Australia’s most decorated female gymnast in Games history in the process.
Her tears on Sunday morning (AEST) were a culmination of everything she has endured in the 2½ years since that injury.
“I’m going to be completely honest, it’s been a horrible, horrible road back,” Godwin said.
“My support team have been absolutely amazing, but the mental challenges I’ve had to go through have been the hardest I’ve been through in my life.
“But I want to finish this sport on my own terms, and I wanted to do one more big event with these amazing girls.”
At that point of competition, when the tears started to flow, a medal was likely, but not guaranteed – Australia still had the vault to go, and Canada and England were hot on their heels after a strong performance from Wales earlier in the day.
But it wasn’t about the medal. It was about performing on an international stage and conquering the apparatus that had almost ended her career after she injured her Achilles during floor training.
“There was a lot going through my head before that floor routine, and the girls before me absolutely nailed their floors. I just really wanted to help the team, and with all of that head noise and all of that pressure, I just started feeling a bit overwhelmed,” Godwin said of her emotions.
“So, of course, just before I started floor, I went to my plans and grounded myself, and I was so happy for that to be my first floor routine back at a big international event. I think everything is all good, and we can move on. And I’ve really taken a step today.”
Of course, there were times she feared she would never represent Australia again.
Achilles injuries can be devastating for gymnasts due to the amount of weight and force required for the explosive movements in gymnastics.
And Godwin, at 26 years old, was already nearing the end of her career.
“There were so many days where I was like, I can’t do this,” Godwin said.
“I’m too old, I’m too sore, my Achilles would just never be the way it used to be.
“But again, my village pulled me through. My dog, my family, my coach, my teammates, just everyone came through, and they believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone, Godwin fought back tears once more.
It wasn’t just a win for herself and her four teammates in Kate McDonald, Breanna Scott, Ruby Pass and Emily Whitehead. It was a win for everyone who got her back to her best.
“I didn’t do it for myself, I did it for everyone that has helped me get back,” she said.
“Whether that be in my inner circle, or through social media, everyone has done their part. So, thank you to everyone that has helped me get here.”
Godwin has overtaken Alanna Slater as Australia’s most successful female gymnast at the Commonwealth Games, her new tally reading: three gold, four silver and two bronze.
“Sorry Alanna,” Godwin laughed.
“It does feel good, and to do it with a gold medal with the team – this is my favourite medal of all time. I don’t think anyone will top it. ”
Godwin needs two more medals – of any colour – to equal Australia’s most successful gymnast, Brennon Dowrick, who has 11 Commonwealth Games medals (two gold, three silver and six bronze).
It is possible – she will compete in the individual all-around final tomorrow, and then in the individual vault and floor.
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Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
