Commonwealth Games 2022: Five overseas athletes likely to shine in Birmingham

We have picked out five athletes from abroad to keep an eye on in Birmingham

Pa Sport Staff
Thursday 04 August 2022 09:06 BST
Comments
Opening Ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Despite the summer’s hectic sporting schedule, a host of top stars are still set to descend on Birmingham for this month’s Commonwealth Games.

Here we pick out five athletes from abroad who are most likely to cause a stir as they look to add to their already-impressive list of sporting achievements.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will aim to make more athletics history (Martin Rickett/PA)
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will aim to make more athletics history (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Archive)

Jamaica’s eight-time Olympic medallist has indicated her intention to compete in the women’s 100m in Birmingham, raising the mouthwatering prospect of going head-to-head with her compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah, who pipped her to gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games, and Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith. Fraser-Pryce has yet to mark her career with an individual Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Peace Proscovia

Peace Proscovia (left) will be a prominent figure on the netball court (Nigel French/PA)
Peace Proscovia (left) will be a prominent figure on the netball court (Nigel French/PA) (PA Archive)

The Ugandan captain is expected to be one of the stars of the women’s netball competition as her team look to muscle in on medal contention. One of the most recognisable female athletes in her country, The 6ft 4ins Proscovia has played for clubs in both Australia and the UK, and currently has a contract with Super League club Surrey Storm.

Matthew Glaetzer

Matt Glaetzer has beaten cancer to contend in Birmingham (Martin Rickett/PA)
Matt Glaetzer has beaten cancer to contend in Birmingham (Martin Rickett/PA) (PA Archive)

The Australian track cycling star soared to three gold medals on the Gold Coast but took an enforced break after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer the following year. Glaetzer battled back to make the Tokyo Olympic team – where he took some heat for his tactics in the keirin finals – and will be one of the major medal contenders once again in Birmingham.

Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry is a true superstar of women’s cricket (David Davies/PA)
Ellyse Perry is a true superstar of women’s cricket (David Davies/PA) (PA Archive)

Perry is one of the true superstars of women’s cricket and is set to light up the inaugural competition in Birmingham. The all-rounder, who has shrugged off a recent back injury, is the first Australian to represent their country in both a cricket and football World Cup, having achieved the latter at the 2011 event in Germany.

Jerry Tuwai

Jerry Tuwai will lead Fiji’s rugby sevens team in Birmingham (Paul Harding/PA)
Jerry Tuwai will lead Fiji’s rugby sevens team in Birmingham (Paul Harding/PA) (PA Archive)

The Fijian superstar led his country to unprecedented success with Rugby Sevens gold in both Rio and Tokyo. Named World Sevens player of the year in 2019, Tuwai shows no signs of fading at the age of 33 and will expect to muscle his nation to more success in Birmingham.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in