Welling’s Marfa Ekimova on winning gold at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Marfa Ekimova admitted it was a dream come true after winning gold at her first Commonwealth Games.

The 17-year-old from Welling led the way in the women’s individual all-around final in Birmingham with a score of 112.300.

“It’s amazing, it’s incredible, it’s a dream come true,” said Ekimova.

“It was madness, a roaring crowd, anything a gymnast could ever wish for.

“I didn’t know what the scores were going to be, I just knew I did the best I could do. I wanted to make my country proud and my family at home.

“I hope to inspire the kids in the crowd, I want them to be rhythmic gymnasts and this sport to carry on through the generations.

“I love the feeling of performing and I want people to enjoy my performances, my character and my passion.”

The 2022 individual British champion was unable to add to her medal tally after finishing fourth in the ball final (28.600), fourth in the hoop final (27.750), and sixth in ribbon final (25.700).

Ekimova, who was born in St Petersburg, added: “I left my heart and soul on the carpet with my ball and hoop, and that’s all I can ask of myself. I did everything I could.

“It could have gone better in the ribbon, but I’m happy with what I’ve done.”

On the decision to challenge her score in the hoop routine, she said: “I’ve been leading in hoop for the past two days so after seeing that I wasn’t top in the hoop, it was just surprising.”