Eight boys qualified from the recent English Championships to compete at the British Championships – Liverpool! The championships saw the best of Britain compete over 4 long days in the M&S Bank arena, an arena with flashing lights, disco lights, smoke on entry and a full podium for the gymnasts! A truly, huge, exciting and daunting experience all mixed into one.
Ethan competed in the Under 16 age group on Thursday. He showed true grit and determination to continue through the competition having been unwell and making a few mistakes on the way. He held his head high, demonstrated class and perseverance when the going got tough and enjoyed the experience competing some new skills to the arena this year including a double somersault on the floor.
Team mates, Leo, Ben and Brodie competed in the Under 14 age group on Friday. This was their first time in Liverpool and at the British Championships, so an unknown experience. All 3 boys performed well and soaked up the atmosphere, enjoying the crowd and the use of a podium. Leo competed 6 clean routines, including new skills this competitive year and finished in a remarkable 10th place overall, despite a wobbly arabesque, and 8th place on Rings. Ben soaked up the atmosphere and visibly enjoyed the arena, competing clean routines on all 6 pieces and performing new skills successfully! Brodie joined his teammates in the excitement of the arena and performed clean routines including a double back somersault from the High bar! These 3 boys aimed for the ‘sticks’ on their landings and looked chilled, relaxed and focused when it counted most.
Dexter competed in the Under 18 age group. Despite a rocky start on the High Bar, Dexter excelled throughout the competition securing 3 finals, Pommel, Rings and P.Bar along with finishing in 5th Place overall, 3rd place on Pommel and 3rd place on P.Bar. A huge achievement as a 1st year at Under 18!
Our senior men were up next, Oakley, Sam and Sam. Sammy G performed a superb P.Bar routine that swung and turned into and out of handstands and an elegant floor routine that twisted and somersaulted demonstrating flair and flexibility. Sam looked powerful on vault landing a fantastically flighted vault and a great pommel routine that left him smiling! Oakley swung his way to a High Bar final catching release elements without fail and competed a total of 5 new skills in the arena!
Master Final day! Sunday…. As Dexter and Oakley prepared to compete again within the Master Finals of the British Championships, the crowds were queuing to get into the arena! Dexter was up first in the Pommel Final. A great warm up and a positive attitude saw Dex present a phenomenal routine, he circled and flaired his way to success with the judges demonstrated with a great score that gave him an early lead. With 3 more routines to watch and wait through Dexter waited patiently until the last score was in to reveal he was crowned the British Pommel Champion of 2025 for the combined age groups of Under 18 and Under 16.
With not long to rest, Dexter was back in the arena for the Rings final. Dex qualified in 6th place for the final and demonstrated pure strength and good swings to finish in 4th place!
The last finals of the day saw Dexter on P.Bar and Oakley on H.Bar. Oakley increased the difficulty of his routine specifically for the final adding a Casina to his routine. Unfortunately, he fell from the bar but successfully completed his routine without any further troubles. A new skill in the arena and a boost of confidence gained!
Dexter qualified in 3rd place for the P.Bar final and completed the final in 3rd place! A great routine that demonstrated Dexters ability to remain calm and collected when it mattered the most and compete with confidence and determination.
