Davies storms to gold

David Davies surged to a convincing victory in the 1500 metres freestyle to win Wales’ first swimming gold of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old ended 52 years of Australian dominance of the event in convincing fashion in the absence of world-record-holder Grant Hackett.

Finishing in 14 minutes, 57.63 seconds, Davies was almost 12 seconds quicker than his nearest challenger, Andrew Hurd of Canada.

South Africa’s Hercules Prinsloo took bronze.

It was Davies’ second medal of the Games following his bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle.

The Welshman adds the Commonwealth title to the bronze medals he won in the event at the World Championships and the 2004 Olympics.

The result was rarely in doubt. By the time he reached the 1000m mark, Prinsloo was his nearest challenger but almost 10 seconds adrift.