![](https://syndicates.s3.amazonaws.com/aap/Com22_Swi_4-3_22961354_2117775_20220801050805c317dcd-c82b-4d1b-bb1e-cb6424bab180_sd_800x600.jpg)
Australia's Emma McKeon is the most successful athlete in Commonwealth Games history after winning the 50m freestyle gold medal in Birmingham.
The Wollongong wonder captured the 11th gold medal in her Commonwealth Games career with Sunday night's triumph.
McKeon eclipses the previous record for most Commonwealth golds - 10 - by Australian swimmers Susie O'Neill, Ian Thorpe and Leisel Jones.
McKeon's 50m freestyle follows her earlier victories in Birmingham in the mixed 4x100 freestyle relay and women's 4x100 freestyle relay.
The 28-year-old collected four golds medals at both the 2018 Gold Coast Games and the 2014 edition in Glasgow.
And she has the chance to add more gold to her Birmingham haul with expected swims in four more events - about 50 minutes before her record-breaking freestyle, McKeon was quickest qualifier for the 50m butterfly final.
![](https://syndicates.s3.amazonaws.com/aap/Com22_Swi_4-3_22960388_2117775_202207312107444371843-df42-43fd-b70c-8c43cdd9b4e1_sd_800x600.jpg)
McKeon is also Australia's most decorated Olympian with 11 medals - five gold, two silver and four bronze.
And her landmark Commonwealth gold in the 50m freestyle came in an Australian medal sweep with Meg Harris taking the silver and Shayna Jack the bronze.
Earlier in Sunday night, Australian para-swimmer Tim Hodge claimed the silver medal and compatriot Blake Cochrane the bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke SB8 final won by New Zealand's Josh Willmer.
Australia's Bowen Gough finished fourth and Brendon Smith was last in the men's 200m butterfly final won by another Kiwi, Lewis Clareburt.
The Dolphins' Brad Woodward and Ben Armbruster were third and fourth fastest respectively through the men's 100m backstroke semi-finals.
But veteran Mitch Larkin, battling a shoulder injury, was ranked 11th and missed a berth in the medal race.