2015 Artistic Gymnastics British Championships
Report by Melanie
Evans. Photographs by Jo
Forrest.
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THE City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club is billed by many as the:-
"Home of UK
Gymnastics Champions!" and with the likes of Beth Tweddle, it is no wonder. Over
27 March to 29 March 2015, this powerhouse of gymnastic talent played host to
the 2015 Artistic Gymnastics British Championships, which took place at the
Liverpool ACC. Audiences were treated to a great exhibition of awe-inspiring
performances from Britain’s best, over an action packed 3 days. With top
gymnasts battling it out on the floor to get places in the British team for the
World Championships in Glasgow, as the ‘Road to Rio’ continues, this was not a
competition to be overlooked by fans of the sport. The events started in Friday,
27 March, with the Women Juniors – All Round Competition, followed by the Men’s
Under 16 and Under 18 – All Round and Apparatus Finals Competition. Then, on
Saturday, 28 March, the tension was edged up as the senior men and women took
part in the all around competition, along with the men's apparatus finals. That
was followed by the fight for the prestigious British titles. This event had the
men competing on 6 pieces of apparatus and the women over 4, to find the very
best gymnasts. These 1st rounds of competition saw gymnasts from all over the
country aiming to set early standards. The evening brought yet more amazing
action. This was when the world class gymnastics heroes, like Max Whitlock,
Louis Smith, Rebecca Tunney, Claudia Fragapane and Becky Downie entered the
arena, all competing for British glory. As these names, took to the floor
audiences got a great chance to watch as the very best of British Gymnasts
battling for those all important medals! Billed as:- "The best of the best in a
fight for the titles!" it could not be missed and what a show it was! But it did
not stop at that, as on Sunday, 29 March 2015, as the sun rose, the start of yet
another action packed sequence began with the finals, where Britain's Crème de
la Crème compete to be crowned champion, in any of the 6 men's and 4 women's
apparatus events. In the men's Masters the top 8 male gymnasts from all age
groups vied for glory, meaning the young stars came up against our Olympic
heroes. The women's apparatus finals meanwhile featured both juniors and
seniors, with world class performances guaranteed and delivered in full! All 3
days were awe-inspiring, with up close access to Britain’s best and Olympic
Champions both of today and tomorrow!
Melanie Evans who attended the gymnastics told us that:- "The
1st day of the
British championships held at Liverpool Arena started in full swing with many
outstanding performances from our women's junior all around gymnasts. It was
billed as the "Battle of the Brits" and the girls and lads taking part all
performed extremely impressive and highly challenging bar routines, especially
our local Liverpool gymnasts. All gymnasts put on a spectacular show for the
crowd in the evening as well as throughout the weekend. With the top gymnasts
not only competing, but also going all out to entertain the audience, it has
allowed the younger gymnasts of the future and those now already starting to
compete a valuable chance to experience it, with such a fantastic atmosphere,
that was guaranteed to inspire them. It was not just show though, as we must not
forget that this was a true competition, so all participants had to have
incredible focus throughout the competition, keeping their cool, but also
delivering beautiful artistry as they performed on the floor. For me Catherine
Lyons, (Europa gym club), especially stood out, showing both stunning control
and elegant moves, with perfect execution on the floor. Maisie Methuen (Phoenix
Club), also delivered routines that showed strength and precise execution. I
also have to mention that I was impressed with Beckie Downie, who managed to
keep her focus after a slight mistake in the floor, she impressively remained in
the higher rankings, with striking routines, just behind Claudia Fragapane and
Amy Finker The males competitors often get overlooked, but they proved that they
could be just as flexible and graceful as the ladies, whilst delivering a far
higher degree of physical power and strength in some of the sets. Lastly, well
done to Southport's Southport YMCA Gymnastics Club, Dan and Frank, who had both,
like all the others, trained tirelessly. Both of them performed amazingly,
becoming Number 1 and Number 2 in the British Gymnasts Rankings, thanks to
overwhelmingly good performances across 6 pieces of apparatus on the Saturday.
But we cannot forget their coach, Jeff Brooks, who did a sterling job in getting
them ready! Gymnastics is continuing to grow, as a sport, and with such great
results coming out from all gymnasts, people are starting to recognise how
difficult the sport is. The arena has proven to be a fantastic platform to show
the public what British gymnastics is all about. It was fantastic to see all the
hard work put in to this event, from the main organisers, the venue, and clubs
to excellence volunteers, and not forgetting the gymnasts, you are all a credit
to your country and to Liverpool! We just hope it returns soon to this venue and
our City who is extremely proud of our Merseyside based gymnasts!"
To see our photographic coverage of this event, please click on here now! Sorry the photo section is not in mobile format!
For results and to get more information about the sport, visit
UK's governing body, British Gymnastics, also known as the
British
Amateur
Gymnastics Association,
website.
If you attended, please let us know what you thought of the event by emailing us
to:- news24@southportreporter.com. To see some of the photographs taken as the
athletes exhibited their skills as they performed, please click on here now!
