GYMNASTS from all over Wales competed in the Artistic Gymnastic Apparatus Championships at the Welsh Institute of Sport last weekend.
The event had more than 300 spectators packed into the main hall and the support from the crowd, coupled with the aesthetics of sporting competition music, lighting and projected score boards, made the competition a lively event.
In the women’s senior competition Jessica Hogg out-performed her competitors to take top spot with a score of 46.56, Cara Edwards of Wrexham gymnastic club took second with 42.13. Lizzie Beddoe, who has represented GB in the past, is still recovering from injury and performed only on the bars which she won.
Temporary rivals Raer Theaker and Angel Romaeo battled it out in the women’s junior competition. The crowd were treated to an exciting display as Theaker pipped Romaeo to the top spot by a whole mark.
The contest was a close affair until the beam where Theaker pulled away from Romaeo performing a higher difficulty routine which scored her 13.60 to Romaeo’s 10.70. Georgina Hockenhull, representing Park Wrekin Gymnastic Club, came third.
In the men’s event, Clinton Purnell won the senior competition after he placed first on five out of the six apparatus pieces. His exceptional performances got him an overall score of 83.7. Matt Hennessey and Harry Owen, both representing Loughborough Students, came second and third respectively.
“The improvement of the event in terms of the floor managing and production has made it one of the more prestigious events on the Welsh gymnastic calendar,” said Jo Coombs, head of performance and excellence at Welsh Gymnastics.
“We can take many positives from the event especially in the increase of boys participating in the under eight category.
“That increase bodes well in our drive to get more boys participating in gymnastics. This coupled with improved performances is an encouraging step towards the Commonwealth Games.”