Former Royal Marine Wins Gold At The Commonwealth Games

At the Commonwealth Games, a former serviceman has won gold in the men's Para-Triathlon.

30-year-old Royal Marine Joe Townsend won the event beat two Australian athletes, Bill Chaffey and Nic Beverage, to win the title.

The favourite, Chaffey suffered a crash on his hand cycle in the race, and Townsend chased down Beverage to win the gold medal.

Speaking after the race Joe said: "For me, it was the perfect day.

“Everything I planned, I did, so I am really happy! I kept the gaps well in the swim and when I knew that worked, I knew the race was mine.”

“Swimming was always going to be my weakest discipline and I knew that I was strong in the cycling so I just needed to keep my cool.

As soon as I was into the second triathlon in the lead I knew I was on target. If you look at the quality in the field, there’s world champions and top athletes so you can’t take away the intensity in a top venue, so yes I’m really happy.”

Townsend, lost both his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2008 while serving as a Royal Marines Commando.

Last year he won bronze in the world Para-triathlon championships.