A bowler from tiny Norfolk Island in the South Pacific has won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games despite a complete lack of indoor facilities in her homeland.
Shae Wilson's chances of winning only the island's third medal ever at the Games appeared to have evaporated after organisers announced that the lawn bowls event would be moved inside for the first time.
Bowlers on the island – best known as the place where descendants of the Bounty mutineers resettled in 1856 – must swerve shots around the potholes on two grass greens in its de facto capital, Burnt Pine.
But 27-year-old Wilson, playing at her third Games, mastered the sleek Glasgow carpet to such an extent that she sunk reigning world champion Emma Firyana Saroji of Malaysia on Sunday to finally earn a place on the podium.
"It's crazy to think I've come here and won a medal," Wilson told the Press ***** ociation. "Back home we have one club with two grass greens. It's a struggle to get green-keepers at times and there are a few potholes on the way.
#norfolk
Shae Wilson's chances of winning only the island's third medal ever at the Games appeared to have evaporated after organisers announced that the lawn bowls event would be moved inside for the first time.
Bowlers on the island – best known as the place where descendants of the Bounty mutineers resettled in 1856 – must swerve shots around the potholes on two grass greens in its de facto capital, Burnt Pine.
But 27-year-old Wilson, playing at her third Games, mastered the sleek Glasgow carpet to such an extent that she sunk reigning world champion Emma Firyana Saroji of Malaysia on Sunday to finally earn a place on the podium.
"It's crazy to think I've come here and won a medal," Wilson told the Press ***** ociation. "Back home we have one club with two grass greens. It's a struggle to get green-keepers at times and there are a few potholes on the way.
#norfolk
3 months ago
