Commonwealth Games 2022: Suffolk athletes set to compete
Several Suffolk stars are set to compete for Team England in Birmingham
The 2022 Commonwealth Games are officially underway after a glittering opening ceremony in Birmingham last night.
6,500 athletes and officials from 72 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete across 19 different sports in 11 days.
Over 1 million people are expected to attend the Games, with more than a billion watching around the world.
Several Suffolk athletes will be among the competitors. Here are some of our local hopefuls:
Jordan Catchpole (Beccles) - Swimming
22 year old Jordan is a key medal hope for Team England in the swimming, having previously won gold in the S14 mixed 4x100m freestyle at Tokyo 2020.
He also took home silver ion the S14 100m backstroke and bronze in the S14 200m freestyle at the 2019 World Championships.
Born in Beccles, Jordan is a member of Team Waveney Swimming Club in Lowestoft. Thanks to his Olympics success - he became the first person since 1970 to be awarded the freedom of Beccles.
Catchpole will compete in the Men's 200m Freestyle S14 in Birmingham.
Tom Emery (Ipswich) - Rugby Sevens
Born in Ipswich, Tom rose through the Rugby Sevens ranks after being released by Northampton Saints in the summer of 2019.
Playing in scrum half or wing, Emery received his first call up for England the same year - making his debut in the World Series at Twickenham.
In his first full campaign to date he scored five tries in 16 matches.
The men's Rugby Sevens pool matches commence later today (July 29).
Hannah Martin (Ipswich) - Hockey
Ipswich born Olympian Hannah Martin already has a string of bronze medals to her name,. having won at Tokyo 2020, as well as at the previous Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
Educated at Ipswich School, the 27 year old plays for both England and Great Britain in either midfield or as a forward.
She also plays for Surrey based Women's England Hockey League team Surbiton.
Women's Hockey Pool matches get underway later today (July 29).
Zoe Newson (Ipswich) - Para Powerlifting
A member of the Suffolk Spartans Powerlifting Club in East Bergholt, Zoe is double Olympic medal winner - taking bronze in different weight categories in both London and Rio.
At the last Commonwealth Games she won bronze in the lightweight class and she took silver in the 2021 World Championships in Tbilisi.
Zoe started her Powerlifting journey at 15 and first competed in the sport in 2008.
The Para Powerlifting in Birmingham is scheduled for next Thursday - August 4.
Lucy Turmel (Ipswich) - Squash
Ranked number 28 in the world, Lucy is making her Commonwealth Games debut this year.
She picked up a squash racket at the age of nine, but gymnastics was her main sport until the age of 13.
Lucy recently had success at the European Team Championships in April, winning gold. She made the third round of a Platinum level tournament twice last year.
The Women's Squash Round of 64 gets underway later today (July 29).