Reuben Ward wins men’s artistic gymnastics all-around at Glasgow 2026, Glasgow, UK; first Scottish man to win the Commonwealth all-around
Reuben Ward soaks up historic Commonwealth gold: ‘You can’t properly prepare for what just happened’
Reuben Ward soaks up historic Commonwealth gold: ‘You can’t properly prepare for what just happened’
The 21-year-old Scot made history in the men’s all-around at Glasgow 2026, edging a field packed with the teammates he trains beside all year.
Newly crowned Commonwealth Games all-around champion Reuben Ward had run his golden moment through his head long before it became reality.
The 21-year-old Scot won the men’s artistic gymnastics all-around at Glasgow 2026 on Sunday (26 July), posting 79.650 to hold off Canada’s Felix Dolci (79.450) and Australia’s Jesse Moore (79.000). No Scottish man had won the Commonwealth all-around title before.
Imagining it was the easy part.
“You can dream it, you can visualise it, and that’s what I did a lot,” Ward told Olympics.com. “I saw it in my head, so when it becomes a reality, I’m prepared for it, but you can’t properly prepare for what just happened.
“The stress, the excitement, the joy, the pride, you just can’t replicate in your brain, but I do try,” he continued. “I believe in myself a lot, so I believe that I could do this and I’m just so grateful and happy that I managed to do it.”
At a home Commonwealth Games, the field was full of friends. Ward spends most of his year training and competing alongside the same gymnasts as part of Great Britain. Here, they were the competition.
“I love to see my friends from Team Wales, my friends in Team England, Team Northern Ireland, even Australia, Canada,” he said. “But specifically, the ones from Great Britain – I train with them at national squads. I see them at competitions. To compete at major games with them there, everyone’s living it at the same time. It’s amazing.”
Commonwealth Games 2026: Ecstatic home crowd watch Reuben Ward crowned men’s all-around gymnastics champion
Reuben Ward relishes Commonwealth debut
It was his first Commonwealth Games, and he already wants to experience them again.
“I think it’s unlikely to be my last because this has just been such a great experience so far,” Ward said.
Typically, the Scot tries to avoid following the results as a competition progresses.
But on Sunday, with announcers blaring the standings and scores through the arena, Ward stopped trying not to hear them.
“Often I try and not look at the scoreboard, but in a situation like this, where we’ve got commentators announcing the scores … to avoid it, it’d probably require more energy than to just hear it,” he said. “So today I just was like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna hear the scores. I’m going to try and keep my mind, not let a single score waver the way I’m thinking, just keep moving forward … and trying to close out with a win.’
“And that’s what I did.”
By Scott Bregman Jo Gunston
23 July - 2 August
Commonwealth Games 2026 | Glasgow | United Kingdom