Commonwealth Games: 7 Non-British Sportswomen to Watch

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As strong as the Home Nations are looking for these Commonwealth Games, it’s the intense competition from around the world that makes the Games so special. Here’s a look at seven(ish) non-British favourites in their fields.

1. Both Australia and New Zealand historically boast strong netball and hockey teams that have more than once gotten in the way of England’s successes in those two sports. British spectators might be rooting for the underdog English, but the poise and skill of both Australia and New Zealand will be well worth watching. Have England’s teams learned from the dominance of the Aussie and Kiwi camps of the past few Commonwealth Games? The test is on, and as such look for these two team sports to contribute some of the more exciting performances of the summer.

2. We’ve already seen Indian badminton players Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa in our Commonwealth Games previews, but it’s worth giving them another shout-out here. The pair won gold together and were part of India’s silver-winning mixed team effort in Delhi. Both return for Glasgow’s games. Look out for their teammates Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu to make waves in the women’s singles events as well.

3. Sunette Vilijoen is a South African javelin thrower with good potential for glory this summer. She won gold at the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games and will be on familiar successful territory for these Games, but finished a devastating 4th at the 2012 London Olympics and 6th at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow. It will be interesting to see whether Vilijoen can rally in Glasgow.

4. Sultana Frizell has an awesome name and an even better chance for a medal in Glasgow. The Canadian hammer thrower enters this summer’s Games as the defending gold medallist, and also has two Olympic games under her belt. She’ll potentially be Welsh athlete Carys Parry‘s fiercest competition this summer.

5. Malaysian squash player Nicol Ann David is the current World No. 1 in her sport, and is heavily pinned to add to her Commonwealth successes this summer. The defending women’s singles Commonwealth champion also has a bronze and a silver in the mixed doubles event.

6. This post would be incomplete without a mention of the Australian aquatics squad. The divers dominated Delhi and despite a few roster changes are looking strong again for Glasgow. They are led by returning medalist (one gold, two silver) Melissa Wu. The swimmers won an outstanding 15 gold medals (not to mention silver and bronze) in Delhi and can boast a repeat this summer. Names of note include Olympic medallists Alicia Coutts, Cate Campbell, Bronte Campbell, and Emily Seebohm (to name only a few stars).

7. Rounding out today’s list are Milcah Chemos Cheywa and Grace Wanjiru, Kenya’s returning gold and bronze medallists in the 3000m steeplechase and 20km race walk respectively. Remarkably, Chemos Cheywa and Wanjiru are the only two of Kenya’s 12 female medallists from 2010 who return to Commonwealth competition this summer.

Erin Walters, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

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