Louise Hoskins, aged 76, has become the oldest gold medallist in Commonwealth Games history. Competing for Australia, she secured victory in the women’s para bowls pairs alongside Serena Bonnell at the 2026 Games in Glasgow.
Hoskins, who was born during the 1950 Auckland Games, is also the oldest competitor at the current Games. She expressed her disbelief, stating, “I never thought I’d ever get [a gold medal] at my age. Get out there and have a go, and never give up.”
The Australian duo faced New Zealand’s Julie O’Connell and Teri Blackbourn in the pairs B6-B8 final. Hoskins and Bonnell secured a 6-3, 4-4 win, with Bonnell delivering a crucial three points in the second set to tie it and avoid a sudden-death tiebreaker.
Hoskins broke the previous record held by Scotland's George Miller, who was 75 when he won gold at the Birmingham Games in 2022.