Success in Switzerland for Honiton Gymnasts
Gymnasts from Honiton Gymnastics Club further boosted the club’s international reputation last week when they competed at the Swiss Acro Cup in Winterthur, Switzerland.
The 16 talented acrobatics, aged eight to 18, competed against gymnasts from countries including Poland, Belarus, Germany, Hungary and Switzerland, putting in fine performances and bringing back two golds and one bronze medal.
Gold medals were won by the junior mixed pair of Adam Fullick and Megan Jones, who finished almost two marks ahead of the Polish partnership in second, and Youth men’s pair Jamie Jeffrey and Matthew Beviss, who recorded their highest score to date with a 27.50 out of 30.
“It was an excellent experience for all of our gymnasts, many of whom were competing in their first international” said James Reddy, high performance coach at Honiton Gymnastics Club, “and it was great to come back from Switzerland with medals too.
“Adam and Megan improved hugely on their performance at the British Championships in March, and Jamie and Matt stepped up a gear after falling just short of making the national finals earlier in the year, so it was great to see them compete with clean routines and show some of Europe’s best what Honiton gymnasts are capable of. ”
Honiton’s bronze medal was clinched by the junior women’s trio of Charlotte Beviss, Kaisha Dessalines-Wright and Sammy Britten. The feat was made even more notable as Charlotte had only been working with the girls for three weeks and not only had to speedily learn the complex moves but also had to fit in training with mixed partner Josh Jackson, who she finished in fourth place with in the junior mixed pairs event.
“One thing that really stood out about Honiton’s performers in Switzerland was their presence on the floor and the dynamism in our performances,” added James. “Artistry is now a significant factor, and our gymnasts’ strong performances made the audience stand up and watch.”
In addition to the medal winners, Josh Jackson and Charlotte Beviss took fourth place in the junior mixed pairs event; Valentine Tutcher and Catie Lee were ninth in the Youth women’s pairs; Emma Saunders, Katie Studley, Chloe-Mae Outram were 11th in the Youth women’s groups; and Megan Quick and Scarlett Livingstone were fourth in the Swiss National Class pairs event.
“Catie and Scarlett are just eight years old and Chloe-Mae has just turned nine,” said James, “They’re the youngest gymnasts we’ve ever taken to an international competition, but they were unfazed by the occasion and competed remarkably well.”
All photos courtesy of Ben Lee Photoimagery http://www.benleephotoimagery.co.uk/
To view more images from the competition, visit http://goo.gl/5ZGJde
