This was the fourth time Wright had come out of the gruelling games on top, but there was something that made this year that extra bit special. That something was daughter Aaliyah Wright and nephew Eammon O'Reilly also placing third on the podium for the men's and women's event.

"Awesome, unreal," Wright said of being able to celebrate alongside his family.

"Everyone dreams of being able to compete with your children and I guess your nephews at some stage in your life, so to be able to do that was a great feeling."

Wright put in plenty of hard work throughout the week, but as the finish line neared, the nerves set in.

"I thought that I might've dropped off a bit towards the end because they hide the scoring in the last couple of days so you don't know where you're at," he said.

"I was pretty consistent with most. There were a couple events that I was shocked that I took them out, but the key is to be consistent throughout the whole week."

That sentiment was echoed by Eight Day Games honorary secretary Jason Lyne.

"It was a very, very challenging week. I've been involved for nearly 30 years and the weather gods certainly weren't kind to us during the week," he said.

"We had to change many events at the last minute due to the roads being closed and facilities being closed, but credit to all the competitors, the committee and all the volunteers that nobody complained once.

"Everyone had a fantastic week and I think it's been one of the best years I've been involved in for a long, long time. With us missing last year because of COVID, I think that everyone was just happy to catch up and see faces again."

He made note to congratulate Johnson, whose win was the 11^th time she'd taken home the crown, the most of any competitor.

"Cathy comes back from Sydney every year and was very consistent," Lyne said.

"We even had a Pacman computer game and Cathy dominated everyone, male and females."

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