The 2016 English Championships will be taking place this week from Friday, March 18 to Sunday, March 20 at Loughborough University.
After a big and hugely successful 2015 for the British gymnastics programme, four members of the bronze medal winning team look to set the stepping stone towards Rio, which is now less than five months away!
Headlining the event is 2015 British champion Amy Tinkler, who most recently had a great showing at the AT&T American Cup, where she placed fourth. Joining her will be four-time Commonwealth gold medalist Claudia Fragapane, who only last weekend finished third at the Glasgow World Cup. Both gymnasts are expected to be the ones to battle it out for the title, where they’ll be getting another opportunity to show off their newly upgraded routines in front of the British delegation who will be watching their every move in the next few months leading into Rio.
Also headlining the event is 2014 European bar champion Becky Downie and three time world bar finalist Ruby Harrold, who last weekend both had great showings at the British team championships. Both best known for their bar work, it will be interesting to see if any of them pull out any newly upgraded routines with the British championships just around the corner.
Also competing and contending for the 2016 Olympic team is Gabrielle Jupp, who made a remarkable second comeback at last weeks British team championships following a second ACL tear. First year senior Georgia-Mae Fenton is best known for quality work on bars and beam.
Welsh star Georgina Hockenhull is expected to compete as a guest.
Notably absent from this event is rising star Catherine Lyons, who is still recovering from injuries she sustained last year. It is not known if she’ll be ready to compete at the up and coming British championships in April.
Also absent are Ellie Downie and Rebecca Tunney. Downie, who was part of the bronze medal winning team in Glasgow, was expected to compete at the Stuttgart World Cup this weekend until the 2012 Olympian (Tunney) replaced her on the roster. The reason for this has not been officially communicated.
Also absent from this competition are Kelly Simm, Tyesha Mattis, Teal Grindle and Charlie Fellows, who are also recovering from injuries.
In the junior competition, you can expect strong performances from British junior squad members Alice Kinsella, Ellesse Oates, Lucy Stanhope, Megan Parker, Taeja James, Sophie Scott, Amelia Knight and Amelia Montague.
In the second round, as well as the British squad members, look out for Laura Kaletha, Chiara Bunce, Laura Beasley, and the young girls from Amy Tinkler’s gym in South Durham.
Welsh juniors Maisie Methuen and Latalia Bevan will compete as guests as well as Zoe Simmons of The Academy (Ruby’s gym).
Notable absences from the completion is new junior and British AA Espoir Champion Jolie Ruckley from Wales, who is recovering from a hamstring injury whilst Scottish prodigy Louise McColgan is coming back from a back injury, both of whom are hoping to return at the British championships next month.
Find a list of participants here
Article: Craig Tilley
Photo Cover: Myriam Cawston
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