Members of Huntingdon Gymnastics Clubs’ elite programme had a busy weekend, competing across the region and in National events. DANIEL KEATINGS was in fine form, taking all around GOLD in the LONDON OPEN Tournament, against 48 of Great Britain’s best male gymnasts. His score of 90.5 follows a great performance at the America Cup event in Boston, USA, where he placed 5th overall in a field of 8 of the World’s best all rounders. Teammate, Louis Smith also worked well, scoring 15.75 on his specialist event, Pommel Horse. The results will boost Louis and Daniels chances for selection to the GB Team for the European Championships to be held in Birmingham next month and, with Luke Folwell placing 5th in the London Open and finishing 2nd on Vault, the Club continues to produce great performances at National Level. Club mates Luke Carson, Alex Hedges, and Ahmahd Thomas, all finished in the top 25.
The Junior event was won by Max Whitlock of South Essex, with Max Bennet and Cameron Mackenzie placing 4th and 5th respectively, each hopeful for selection onto the GB Junior European Team next month. Alex Brailsford put in a consistent performance over 6 apparatus to finish in the top 10, with a well executed double twisting somersault on Vault.
Max Bennett, Cameron MacKenzie, Alex Brailsford and Sam Oldham all competed well in Friday’s Loveday Trophy. They now embark on a heavy competition period which includes possible selection for the Euro’s.
In the Clayton Bolt Shield Harrison Cooper-Lewis was competing really well but an unfortunate error on pommels meant he did not get the clean sweep, never the less a good competition experience.
Jacob Taylor, Joe Brown, James Cook, Harry O Driscoll, Charlie Hutchinson, Ali Hussein, Owen Harrison and highest placed gymnast Patrick Murphy all competed well in Sundays Development Open competition
Congratulations to Tilly Allen, Shannon Roylance, Hannah Phillips, Inola Browne, Laura Gilbert and Adele Kersey for passing their respective Club Grades. Inola will be part of the East region team for the National Finals.
Lottie Smith and Carrie Walker have progressed past Compulsory Level 3 and will represent the club at the National Finals in May.
Head Coach, Paul Hall, was pleased with the weekend’s work: ‘It is great that we have 4 or 5 gymnasts fighting for places on the European Team, and I am especially happy with the progress of our girls elite squad, who have worked hard to produce some excellent results- we wish them well in the events for which they have been selected.