Alex Yee wins first gold of Commonwealth Games for England after winning men’s triathlon after incredible sportsmanship

ALEX YEE delivered on his promise to bring England a golden Triathlon start to the Commonwealth Games – and claimed it meant MORE than his Tokyo glory.

The Olympic silver medalist showed his class to hunt down big rival Hayden Wilde of New Zealand in a stunning 5km run to win by 13 seconds.

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He said: “I’m just happy – it’s bizarre that it’s me that’s doing this.

“I feel extremely grateful to be in this situation. I’m super proud to be the winner.

“For me, this is the home Games. It’s the first time I’ve been able to race in front of my parents for a long time and at a major event – that means it’s probably my greatest achievement ever.”

Yee was helped by the Kiwi serving a 10 second penalty for taking off his helmet before racking his bike at the end of the second stage.

But the 24-year-old from Lewisham had already reeled in Wilde despite starting the run 15 seconds behind, with the Kiwi publicly acknowledging he had been beaten as they clasped hands just before the finish.

Yee added: “I knew at the end of the first lap of the run that Hayden had the penalty.

“I looked at the penalty board and I saw No 1. I thought I was No1 for a bit then I realised I wasn’t and that it was him.”

Yee grabbed a St George’s flag on the run-in, turning to ask the fans gathered in Sutton Park to cheer him over the line, followed in by Wilde and bronze medal winner Matt Hauser of Australia, with England team-mate Daniel Dixon 12th.

He added: “I definitely backed my run because I know the course so well having trained here.

“I think our bike pack worked well together. I knew I was able to do it.”