Commonwealth Games 2026: Sam Tolchard joy at bowls gold for England

Sam Tolchard says winning his first gold medal at his fifth Commonwealth Games "means everything".

The 37-year-old from Torquay beat Malaysia's Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple to win the men's bowls singles at Glasgow 2026.

Tolchard, who first competed at the Games in Delhi in 2010, cruised to an 8-0 win in the first set.

But he was 6-3 down going into the final two ends of the second set until he picked up a four-shot maximum in the penultimate end to make it 7-6 before earning a one-shot win on a dramatic final end.

"I've had some really hard defeats over the years to take, but I've kept going," said Tolchard, who won silver in the pairs in 2022.

He also has three bronze medals, won in the pairs in 2014 and 2018 and the fours four years ago.

"A fifth Commonwealth Games - a lot of people don't get that many chances," he told BBC Sport. "I'm very fortunate to have had that many chances.

"Once every four years is extremely tough, especially when you're only getting one event like this. We've been fortunate to get two events before.

"Every game I've played now, every bit of practice has been worth it."

It is the second time Tolchard has beaten Dzulkeple in a major final. He defeated the Malaysian in the World Champion of Champions event in 2022 for his first major title.

The win in Glasgow is even more remarkable given Tolchard balances playing top-level bowls while working as a self-employed electrician in Devon.

"The week before I came here I was working ridiculously late to try and get jobs finished," he said.

"Being an amateur sport, it's really tough for us, but that is probably what we're used to and that's what hardens us up.

"Hopefully, bowls can just be seen in this light more and more and it can get more and more help. That would be amazing."

Tolchard emulated his sister Sophie, who won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, on an emotional morning for the father-of-one, whose father Ray was a first-class cricket umpire before passing away almost 22 years ago.

"My dad died when I was 15 and he put everything into me," Tolchard said.

"So that's a long time, it'll literally be 22 years on August 1st.

"He put everything into me, and mum as well. I was so fortunate to have that start and I wouldn't be here today without their support."