Wales secure dramatic Para-bowls bronze at Commonwealth Games
The Welsh pair’s victory adds to the nation’s tally of eight medals, with Julie Thomas claiming her third Commonwealth honour and Steffan James securing his first.
Wales have secured a bronze medal in the Para-mixed bowls B2-B3 event at the Commonwealth Games, defeating New Zealand in a dramatic tie-break. The victory for Julie Thomas and Steffan James comes after a hard-fought contest that saw the Welsh pair overcome a deficit in the opening set to force a sudden-death end.
The match began with Wales trailing New Zealand’s Sonya Woodrow and Kerrin Wheeler, losing the first set 7-4. However, the Welsh side rallied to win the second set 6-3, setting up the decisive final end. With Thomas setting up the opportunity, Steffan James delivered two precise bowls to secure the win, while New Zealand’s final delivery failed to match the required standard.
This result marks a significant milestone for Julie Thomas, who has now won three Commonwealth medals. She previously claimed bronze on the Gold Coast in 2018 and silver in Birmingham four years later. A former primary school head teacher from Bridgend, Thomas lost her sight in 2014 and won her first Welsh title within two months of taking up the sport.
For Steffan James, aged 34, the bronze medal represents his first Commonwealth Games honour. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease at age 14, James has seen his vision deteriorate in recent years but took up bowls only three years ago. The partnership gained momentum after the pair won gold at the first-ever Para Bowls European Championships in 2024.
The Welsh campaign has mirrored its start, following an earlier dramatic tie-break comeback win against Australia. The team’s success is supported by director John Wilson, 72, the oldest member of Team Wales, who served as a director for the medal-winning sides in 2018 and 2022. Jamie Jones also served as director for the Welsh pair in this final.
Wales’ total medal tally at these Games now stands at eight, comprising two silvers and six bronzes, a count that includes results dating back to the Glasgow Games. The victory underscores the continued competitiveness of the Welsh squad in para-sport disciplines at the international level.
