Beagles pole vaulter targets Euro glory after Games gold

Newham & Essex Beagles pole vaulter Steve Lewis has set his sights on further success at the European Championships, after claiming gold at the third time of asking at the Commonwealth Games.

Lewis cleared 5.55m in Glasgow to record his first major title, but not without plenty of drama.

The British record holder held his nerve in a tense jump-off with team-mate Luke Cutts to claim gold, after picking up bronze in the 2006 Commonwealth Games and silver four years later in Delhi.

And after moving to the United States to focus his training, Lewis wants to repeat his Commonwealth display at the European Championships in Zurich, which start on Tuesday.

“I think it’s a relief to get my first title, but I haven’t really processed it yet – it hasn’t really sunk in and I’ll have a lot of confidence going into the Europeans,” he said.

“I’m pretty excited about it now and it’s a pretty open field. I don’t take too much notice of what others are jumping. Championships are about being a championship performer.”

“I’ve been here a few times now and just to get the win feels so good and hopefully I can take that confidence forward now. This year I’ve settled down, I’ve got a new set-up in America and a base I can build off.”

Beagles duo Christine Ohuruogu and Asha Philip added bronze medals in the relays as England topped the final medal table with 58 gold, 59 silver and 57 bronze. See inside for more.