Grimsby's Amy Pharaoh is a Commonwealth Games champion again – 16 years after her last success.
Pharaoh made her debut for Team England 24 years ago in Manchester and joined forces with close friend Sian Honnor to win the women's pairs title in Glasgow. The 47-year-old now has two golds, one silver and two bronzes from her five Games appearances and admitted this one felt extra special.
However, it was a close-run thing against Malaysia's Aleena Ahmad Nawawi and Syafiqa Abul Rahman. The English pair edged the first set 5-4 before drawing the second to secure gold by the narrowest of margins.
"The pressure was on us, but we've got the job done and it's a huge team effort," said Pharaoh, who won silver in the pairs four years ago in Birmingham.
"So many people support us to allow this to happen. It's not easy when you are both mums trying to juggle everything while remaining competitive in sport.
"It's taken a lot to get back on top of that podium again. This is very different to Delhi. We haven't got the bugs flying around! In Delhi, we were having to hold our hands over our mouths in case something flew into them. It's a completely different environment, but it's still absolutely so special.
"They're both brilliant in their own way. Being a Commonwealth Games champion again means everything."
Pharaoh, a 15-time national champion, is refusing to rule out a return to India for the next Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, but her immediate focus is slightly closer to home, with Leamington Spa hosting the World Championships next summer. She was just 25 the last time the event was held in the UK, winning gold in both the fours and team events.
"Four years is a long time in sport, but what's really exciting is next year's World Championships," she added.
"The last time they were held in the Northern Hemisphere, at Leamington Spa, was in 2004. It's a once-in-a-generation opportunity. To have the World Championships at the home of bowls is fantastic and I can't wait.
"It's massive coming straight off the back of these Games as well. We really have to make the most of the attention and coverage and keep telling our story to as many people as possible."
Bowls is making a bid for inclusion in the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane, where the sport is hugely popular. This is the first time it has been staged indoors at the Commonwealth Games, and the new format – two sets followed by a one-end tie-break if the scores are level – has proved a big hit.
"The format is different to what we're used to, but I think it's really highlighted the tactical side of bowls," said Honnor.
"Hopefully people who've stumbled across it for the first time have thought, 'Actually, it's not quite what we expected.' We hope it's an opportunity to attract more people and show what an inclusive and accessible sport bowls is."
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