Carla Krizanic has added Commonwealth Games champion to her bulging lawn bowls resume.
The Sunbury bowler has won state, national and world titles – and, in the past two weeks, she’s added two-time Commonwealth Games champion to the list of achievements.
Krizanic was part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but didn’t win a medal. She more than made up for it at the Gold Coast.
“If you had asked me three years ago if I would have two world championships and two Commonwealth Games gold medals, I would have said, ‘Yeah, OK’,” she said.
“It’s yet to settle in. It’ll be good to go home and celebrate with everyone from Sunbury.”
Australia’s Jackaroos entered both the triples and fours as favourites, fielding the same line-ups that won world titles in 2016.
But there was plenty of pressure on them, given Australia’s failure to win gold at the Games since 2006.
The Jackaroos were forced to fight to the end in the fours, with all three finals close calls.
“To be able to get over the line in three close games was really good,” Krizanic said.
“We played Malaysia in the quarter-final and won by one shot and then needed an extra end against Canada in the semi-final.
“We took confidence into the final against South Africa [knowing] that we were playing well under pressure.”
Having claimed gold, Krizanic didn’t have much time to let the win sink in – she was back on the green just two hours later for the opening round of the triples.
“It was about regrouping and focusing on the triples,” she said.
“We put the win behind us and got through the whole triples successfully.”
The 27-year-old said she had never experienced a tournament like these Games.
“The atmosphere and how loud and crazy – they were amazing,” she said.
“There were people singing and chanting … you never get that at bowls.
“Hopefully, people realise bowls isn’t a quiet sport and can be quite entertaining.”
Krizanic was due to arrive home on Monday and said one of the first places she wanted to visit was the Sunbury Bowling Club.
“It helps to have a club like Sunbury behind me,” she said.
“I’ll get down to the club, have a few drinks. I’ve had a number of members send messages and people come up to Queensland and support me, including the chairman.”
