Paul Coll

2022 - 8 - 4

Post cover — Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

Coll wins squash gold as King blows bronze (New Zealand Herald)

Paul Coll has made history for New Zealand, defeating Wales' Joel Makin 3-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7 to become the first Kiwi man to win a gold medal in ...

That momentum held for the Welshman as a flustered Coll threw his racquet to the floor after losing the third game 11-8. As he did in the third game, Coll started strong in pulling out to an early 4-1 lead. It took until the mid-stage of the second game for Makin to commit an unforced error as Coll began to play his way back into the match. Despite a break in play to change his socks, Coll never found momentum against the Welshman who played flawless squash on his way to an absolutely dominant 11-3 game-one victory. it's one of the best moments of my life," Coll told Sky Sport following an emotional medal ceremony. "It was a real mental battle for me today..

Paul Coll claims gold after marathon final in men's singles (1 News)

The New Zealander was made to work by Welshman Joel Makin but in the end he got what he came to Birmingham for.

That left the gold medal to be decided by one do-or-die game and Coll again came out firing in his pursuit to win it. Makin wasn't disheartened though, once again staying locked in a tight battle with Coll before he managed to break away at 8-6 - a moment that would ultimately lead him to taking the game and move within one of denying Coll the elusive gold medal he's been chasing. Having dropped only one game on his way to the final at the University of Birmingham, Coll looked to be in fine form to claim New Zealand's first squash medal at this year's Games.

'One of the best moments of my life': Paul Coll wins squash gold ... (Stuff.co.nz)

West Coaster adds Commonwealth Games gold to his British Open title to cap a stellar 2022 season.

You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. It was not easy out there, I’m just stoked to get out with the W.” The Greymouth product now joins another athlete from the wider West Coast region – netballer Anna Harrison – as a Commonwealth Games champion. Coll said he had had “wicked’’ support from the whole New Zealand team. It was just epic, there were so many Kiwis in the crowd, it was one of the best moments of my life.” ”The first game was ‘a shocking start for me, everything was going wrong, it felt like.

Birmingham Commonwealth Games: Kiwi Paul Coll basking in gold ... (Newshub)

Coll became the first Kiwi male to win a gold medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games.

Coll labelled “the most underrated athlete in NZ” after ... (SEN)

Champion squash player Paul Coll has been labelled “the most underrated athlete in New Zealand” following his Commonwealth Games gold medal.

“I think he needs to be … really sort of put up on a pedestal. “I think (he is) the most underrated athlete in New Zealand sport … there needs to be more conversation around him. Kiwi sports commentator Mark Watson has lauded the 30-year-old for his remarkable efforts, saying Coll needs to be “put up on a pedestal” as one of the country’s greatest athletes.

A word from mum and dad settled gold medallist Paul Coll's nerves (Stuff.co.nz)

Kiwi athlete Paul Coll knows who to call when the pressure is on - and the gold medal winner's family are proud as punch back home in Greymouth.

He’s got mental coaches and that helps him a lot, but every now and again when the emotions are too much he will come to his father and me,” said Julie. He was really struggling with the pressure of winning, he wanted it so badly,” she said. He defended his British Open title in April and is now ranked second on the PSA world squash rankings. Construction is booming with Dunedin's hospital rebuild and CBD upgrade. But the win on Thursday didn’t look a sure thing earlier in the tournament. And Dad’s too.