World No.2 Paul Coll has made history, as the first Kiwi male to win a gold medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games
But Coll’s teammate, Joelle King missed out on a medal, losing her bronze match against England’s Sarah Jane Perry at Birmingham.
Hunting down a Games gold is thirsty work, and Coll's face-off with Welsh and world No.7, Joel Makin proved to be epic, with the 95-minute match ending in the Kiwi's favour.
"Sense of relief, I was very proud, it was just a long road. I was hurting the whole match," he said after his victory.
At one point down and two games to one, Coll found his composure to win the last two 11-8 and 11-7 to close out the match.
"Just really proud of the fourth and fifth, and how I came back," he said.
Coll's parents are celebrating back home in Greymouth, but in between those superman dives were nerves.
"I'm still shaking. Everyone was texting congratulations and I could hardly text because I was shaking so much," Julie Coll said.
Coll has been world No.1, but hasn't won a singles gold at the Commonwealth Games, but reveals playing for the silver fern is something else entirely.
"We've got so many amazing athletes, and I just wanted to be one of them," he said. "You know, I just wanted to bring gold back and it's one of the best moments of my life."
Coll's father, Mike, echoed his son's comments and knows just what it means to him.
"He is actually a very proud New Zealander, and West Coaster," he said.
But there's not much time for rest, as he prepares to team up with King.
The mixed pair, with mixed success, King is still missing a medal, but not for long if Coll can help it.
"She's not going to be by herself, I'm going to have her back and she's going to have mine," Coll said.
Their hunt for more medals begins on Friday, but for now, Coll is enjoying his short celebration after a history-making win.
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