Australian veterans Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann win men’s beach volleyball gold

IT’S ​been an icon for ironmen​ for decades​ but ​the Coolangatta Gold belonged to ​Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann in a mixed night for Australia’s beach volleyball teams.

IT’S ​been an icon for ironmen​ for decades​ but ​the Coolangatta Gold belonged to ​Australian beach volleyballers Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann ​after an epic victory in the Commonwealth Games decider on Thursday night.

But a memorable clean sweep of gold with the Aussie women’s team wasn’t to be, however, with a classy Canada team downing Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy in their decider match later in the evening.

McHugh and Schumann​ ​played the game of their lives to down Canada in a three-set nailbiter and win a historic gold medal​ on the famous Coolangatta beach​.

After Australia won the first set and Canadian pair Sam Pedlow and Sam Schachter fought back to claim the second, the two teams went into a nerve-racking third set.

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Christopher McHugh of Australia reacts after winning beach volleyball gold.

In a seesawing battle, Canada appeared to have edged into a winning position when they went up 12-9 in the race to 15.

But Schumann and McHugh dug in, clawed back the lead and on their third gold-medal point, Canada sent the ball into the net. Jubilant scenes unfolded and the Aussie pair, who only began playing together after the Rio Olympics, embraced on the sand in front of a wild home crowd.

McHugh and fellow veteran Damien Schumann beat Canada in the final to claim gold.

It was the first men’s beach volleyball gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and a fitting reward for McHugh and Schumann, two​ long-serving​ veterans of the Aussie volleyball. ​​

“I actually can’t believe that just happened​,” a stunned Schumann said post-match.

“​When we were down 9-12​ I think we were just like​: ‘oh well, ​let’s ​find out, let’s see what happens, ​let’s ​see if we can do it​’​.

“I can’t actually believe that. ​”

The Aussie duo only started competing together after the Rio Olympics.

McHugh, who has a tradition of kissing his shorter teammate on the head for luck before every game, paid tribute to Schumann.

“Damo ​​did really well, ​ I am​ really proud of him and​ a​ big thanks to everyone who came out, the crowd got us over the line. Couldn’t be happier​,” McHugh said. ​

​McHugh’s power and height at the net was again a huge factor but Schumann’s returns off service were so precise he was able to set for his partner to smash a winner with the second hit, and not allow Canada to block his attacks.

Schumann and McHugh celebrate after receiving their gold.

Men’s beach volleyball has taken a back seat to the Aussie women’s game since the 2000 Olympics but ​McHugh said he was stoked Australia could see such a high quality match — and a home town win. ​

“​Those guys​ (Canada) ​ are so good, they are a top ten team in the world for a reason and for the public to see a good quality, live, prime time, it warms our heart because we often don’t get to do this in Australia​,” McHugh said. ​

“We are often overseas somewhere​ ​where no-one knows what is going on. So, yeah, we are happy.”

The deafening home crowd lifted the Aussie women’s team later in the night but Clancy and Artacho del Solar lost their first ever match together up against the might of Canada.

Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy suffered their first ever loss together. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The giant presence of 196cm Canadian star Sarah Pavan proved almost insurmountable, and she powered down 19 winners and had four blocks.

Up against the world’s best side, there was no shame in winning silver.

“We had a pretty tough journey but I’m really proud of what we were able to do,” Clancy said post-game.

Canadian pair Sarah Pavan (left) and Melissa Humana-Paredes were too strong in a close women’s final. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

Artacho del Solar said she hoped the nation had appreciated their fighting form throughout the Commonwealth Games.

“We hope we made Australia proud out there,” she said.

“We’re very excited for what’s to come for us.”

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Originally published as Australian veterans Chris McHugh and Damien Schumann win men’s beach volleyball gold