It was a fortunate day for Angie Ballard as she grabbed the only gold on the eighth day, in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games athletics track. Para-athlete Ballard won a gold medal in T54 1500m at Hampden Park in a time of three minutes 59.20 seconds.

Ballard made a difference in the way she managed the heavy down pour. A psychology graduate from the University of Sydney; Ballard has an effective grip over mind games. She worked regularly on dealing with varying weather conditions to improve her game plan. "I've made the effort over the years to get good in the rain. Some people choose not to train when it's wet, but I do it so I can be good in both."

Ballard devised a proper wet weather strategy with her renowned coach Louise Sauvage ahead of the night's final. The duo rated the opponents in different weather circumstances and this plan worked quite well in the end. In the Thursday's final, Ballard led after the first lap, but soon the 43 year old Canadian Veteran Diane Roy left her behind. Ballard tried not to get anxious and remained in the inside line. While Roy had to manage only the rainwater, her wheels acted as pair of hoses to make Ballard completely wet.

However, Ballard cashed on to her sprinting ability to snatch the lead from Roy. With 300 meters left, Ballard put in all her efforts to push her wheels to get over the finishing line. "But because of the wet weather and the degrees in which people push well in that, it worked out for me."

"If there's ever a good news story about effort and uncompromising drive to do what she does, it's Angie Ballard. Awesome! I feel so happy now!" Kurt Fearnely uttered in joy. He has known Ballard for decades and they are childhood pals. Kurt, who won a silver medal in the men's event, felt as if he had won gold after hearing about her friend's triumph. Australia can take some respite from Ballard's success going in to the ninth day of the Games.

1. http://www.theage.com.au/commonwealth-games-glasgow-2014/commonwealth-games-news/angie-ballard-wins-australias-first-gold-on-day-eight-20140801-zz857.html

2. http://www.smh.com.au/commonwealth-games-glasgow-2014/commonwealth-games-news/angie-ballard-wins-gold-leaving-kurt-fearnley-feeling-like-a-winner-20140801-zz8cl.htmlIt was a fortunate day for Angie Ballard as she grabbed the only gold on the eighth day, in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games athletics track. Para-athlete Ballard won a gold medal in T54 1500m at Hampden Park in a time of three minutes 59.20 seconds.

Ballard made a difference in the way she managed the heavy down pour. A psychology graduate from the University of Sydney; Ballard has an effective grip over mind games. She worked regularly on dealing with varying weather conditions to improve her game plan. "I've made the effort over the years to get good in the rain. Some people choose not to train when it's wet, but I do it so I can be good in both."

Ballard devised a proper wet weather strategy with her renowned coach Louise Sauvage ahead of the night's final. The duo rated the opponents in different weather circumstances and this plan worked quite well in the end. In the Thursday's final, Ballard led after the first lap, but soon the 43 year old Canadian Veteran Diane Roy left her behind. Ballard tried not to get anxious and remained in the inside line. While Roy had to manage only the rainwater, her wheels acted as pair of hoses to make Ballard completely wet.

However, Ballard cashed on to her sprinting ability to snatch the lead from Roy. With 300 meters left, Ballard put in all her efforts to push her wheels to get over the finishing line. "But because of the wet weather and the degrees in which people push well in that, it worked out for me."

"If there's ever a good news story about effort and uncompromising drive to do what she does, it's Angie Ballard. Awesome! I feel so happy now!" Kurt Fearnely uttered in joy. He has known Ballard for decades and they are childhood pals. Kurt, who won a silver medal in the men's event, felt as if he had won gold after hearing about her friend's triumph. Australia can take some respite from Ballard's success going in to the ninth day of the Games.