Scotland Celebrates Haul Of Medals

24 July 2014, 22:17 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Team Scotland have swept to success in the swimming pool, judo hall and velodrome, scooping ten medals on the first day of the Commonwealth Games.

The host nation has won four golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

Judo star Kimberley Renicks took Scotland's first gold of the Games, winning the women's under-48kgs final with victory over India's Sushila Likmabam in the event at the SECC.

Later her sister Louise Renicks won gold in judo's under 52kg class.

There was more medal success for Scotland in the judo hall with Stephanie Inglis taking silver in the under 57kg category while Glasgow fighter Connie Ramsay secured bronze.

John Buchanan won bronze in the men's under 60kg category while James Millar took bronze in the under 66kg competition.

Speaking after her win Kimberley Renicks said: "It is absolutely brilliant. It is what I had been hoping for and what I have wanted for the last two years.

"The crowd have been behind all of us and it has been a great start to the Commonwealth Games.

"I could not have done it without Team Scotland and Judo Scotland, all of the fans, the family who have supported me all the way.

"If they had not put the effort in to get me to all of these places, I would not have been here today."

Her sister said: "I have always believed I could get this medal, now I have got it, my job is done, and I am feeling brilliant, really proud of myself.

"I watched a bit of my sister's fight, where she won and then got her medal, but I had to keep myself focused."

She added: "I feel really proud with us getting the first gold medals for Scotland and there is much more to come."

Team Scotland also celebrated a successful day in the pool, securing three medals.

Hannah Miley won the gold medal ahead of England's Aimee Willmott in the women's 400m individual medley.

It meant the 24-year-old Scot successfully retained the title she won in Delhi in 2010, while for Middlesbrough's Willmott a silver medal represents a best career return.

Speaking after her race, Miley said: "Oh my God, that was just incredible. I literally couldn't feel my legs for the last 50 so, when I touched the wall, I was hoping and praying that I could go fast."

Meanwhile in the men's competitions Ross Murdoch beat teammate Michael Jamieson to secure gold in the 200m breaststroke.

Speaking afterwards Murdoch said: "There's no way that just happened. I can't believe it. That was amazing. It's a dream come true.

"It was a massive personal best for me. I didn't think I could do that if I'm honest. I'm so surprised. I can't believe it's just happened.

"It's my grandad's 70th birthday today so that swim was for him."

Jamieson, who took silver, said: "Ross has been on great form all season.

"He's dropped huge chunks off his best today so he deserved to win.

"I don't prepare to come second all the time. It wasn't good enough tonight."

Scotland's first medal of the games went to Aileen McGlynn and pilot Louise Haston who won silver in para-cycling.

The pair came second in the women's sprint B2 tandem at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

The race was won by Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott, who picked up England's first Commonwealth Games track gold after beating the Scottish pair 2-0 in a best-of-three final.

Stewart Harris, chief executive of sportscotland, said: "Congratulations to all Team Scotland athletes who gave their all for their country today, and what an outstanding achievement it is to win 10 medals on the opening day.

"Four gold, three silver, and three bronze medals has exceeded all expectations. Spurred on by an incredible home crowd, Team Scotland is on track to deliver its best ever medal haul at a Commonwealth Games.

"This is a historic and proud day for Team Scotland."