Reuben Ward, who developed his gymnastics in Bury, has become the first Scottish man to win the Commonwealth Games men’s individual all‑around title after securing gold at the Glasgow International Arena.
Historic victory on home soil
Ward, who was born in Crumpsall and lived in Greenmount as a child, took the lead after the second rotation and maintained it through the remainder of the event to finish with a total of 79.650. He finished ahead of Canada’s Felix Dolci and Australia’s Jesse Moore, who scored 79.450 and 79.000 respectively.
Roots in Bury’s gymnastics community
Ward’s formative years in the sport were spent at Bury Gymnastics Club. He first took up gymnastics after his younger sister, Eve, began training. Even as a 10‑year‑old pupil at Hollymount Primary School, Ward was reported to be training five days a week for a total of 22 hours — a level of commitment that underpinned his development into an elite competitor.
The triumph in Glasgow represents the most significant achievement of Ward’s career to date and will be a source of pride for the club and the wider Bury sporting community that supported his early progression.
Competition placings
| Place | Athlete | Nation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reuben Ward | Scotland | 79.650 |
| 2 | Felix Dolci | Canada | 79.450 |
| 3 | Jesse Moore | Australia | 79.000 |
Local impact and what comes next
Bury Gymnastics Club, which played a central role in Ward’s early training, will see this result as validation of its coaching and development work. The medal is likely to raise the profile of gymnastics locally and may encourage greater interest from young people and families in the borough.
- Ward’s gold is a first for a Scottish man in the Commonwealth men’s all‑around.
- He trained in Bury from childhood and balanced school with intensive training from a young age.
- The result places Bury’s local club at the centre of a notable success story for British Isles gymnastics.
While this victory marks a new high in Ward’s career, the immediate practical effects for Bury will be felt in local pride and potentially increased demand for places at grassroots gymnastics provision. Local clubs, coaches and schools will be key to sustaining any momentum, and supporters in Bury will watch closely for how Ward’s success translates into longer‑term benefits for sport in the area.
This report is based on results and background information released after the men’s all‑around final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
