Who is the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete? How many gold medals have they won - top 10 ranked

As the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham approaches the starting blocks, who has had the most success in Commonwealth history?
Benjamin Jackson
By Benjamin Jackson
Published 29th Jul 2022, 17:12 BST
Updated 1st Aug 2022, 17:04 BST
Michael Gault of England celebrates winning the Bronze Medal in the Men's 10m Air Pistol Shooting Michael Gault of England celebrates winning the Bronze Medal in the Men's 10m Air Pistol Shooting
Michael Gault of England celebrates winning the Bronze Medal in the Men's 10m Air Pistol Shooting

It’s the opening day of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with Team England looking to better their medal table standing from 2018’s games where they placed second.

But as the hopes of the nation rest on the athletes, some of which from Birmingham itself, who have been the top ten ranked competitors in Commonwealth Games history?

Who is the most successful Commonwealth Games athlete of all time?

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Emma McKeon shares the title as most succesful Commonwealth Games competitor; at the Birmingham 2022 games, the Australia swimmer solidified her status picking up her 11th gold in the history of the games in the 4 x 100m mixed relay on Saturday July 30.

This comes after our painstaking work before the weekend, going through the Commonwealth Games Federation archives, and discovering the honour for the most medals won by an individual in Commonwealth Games history was held by fellow Australian swimmer Leisel Jones.

Leisel Jones of Australia - who ranks as one of the most successful gold medalists in Commonwealth Games history.Leisel Jones of Australia - who ranks as one of the most successful gold medalists in Commonwealth Games history.
Leisel Jones of Australia - who ranks as one of the most successful gold medalists in Commonwealth Games history.

Having started her Commonwealth Games career at the 2002 Manchester event, Jones has gone on to earn 11 gold medals, including four at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Her fellow compatriot, Susie O’Neil AM, stands third on the podium booth with a total of 10 medals for swimming, while 9 other names sit equal in fourth place.

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Despite asking for 10, it would be harsh not to include that 9th name.

Three British names appear in our top 10 too: Welsh weightlifter David Morgan and English shooters Bill Hoskyns and Michael Gault.

The top 10 most successful gold medallist Commonwealth Games athletes:

  • =1: Leisel Jones (Australia - 11)
  • =1: Emma McKeon (Australia - 11)
  • 3: Susie O’Neil (Australia - 10)
  • =4: Alexandre Despatie (Canada - 9)
  • =4: Alicia Coutts (Australia - 9)
  • =4: David Morgan (Wales - 9)
  • =4: Bill Hoskyns (England - 9)
  • =4: Ian Thorpe (Australia - 9)
  • =4: Jaspal Rana (India - 9)
  • =4: Michael Gault (England - 9)
  • =4: Michael Wenden (Australia - 9)
  • =4: Petria Thomas (Australia - 9)
Related topics:BirminghamAustralia

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