Pegasus Open 2009
Report by Fef Griffin
It was no surprise that this year's event attracted the attention of many. Gymnasts flew in from Slovenia, Slovakia, Eire, Ulster, the Isle of Man and many more motored from the far corners of Great Britain. Over 500 gymnasts participated from over 50 clubs, bringing with them upwards of 350 spectators who thoroughly enjoyed quality work throughout the long weekend. The great and good came to support with visits from The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Eric Hotson, Paul Garber, President of British Gymnastics, Brian Stocks CEO British Gymnastics, Eddie Van Hoof British Performance Director and Barrie Collie, National Performance Coach for boys.
The boy's development event is linked to the Club and Coach Development programme jointly funded by Gymnastics England and Pegasus Gymnastics Club. Numbers this year doubled and the standard almost did likewise! Adam Tobin at under 8 almost completed a clean sweep of overall and apparatus gold missing out only on Pommel. Sapphire dominated the Under 9's taking Gold and Silver overall with some outstanding work on Floor from Lewis Irons, the eventual winner. Round 2 and the excitement rose with the soaring temperature as Pegasus gymnasts extended leads in both the under 11 and Under 12 sections. Rapturous applause accompanied their walk to the rostrum with James Lamb pipping club mate Joseph McMorrow to the Gold at under 11 and Joseph Beretta winning the older age group.
An early start Saturday saw the centre buzzing well before 8.00am. Talent abounded. Brinn Bevan set an early lead which none of the other under 12's could touch. A youngster with prodigious talent a super attitude and a delight to watch was a worthy all round winner. Waveney and Pipers Vale combined for the team event and with 4 boys in the top 7 were run away winners, some 8 marks ahead of Baskervilles in second place.
The audience warmed to the seniors who demonstrated some prodigious skills, twisting double somersaults, release and catch on High Bar and strength combinations on Rings that could easily challenge Britain's strongest man. Cameron McKenzie triumphed to take yet another title home to Huntingdon.
The under 16 event included several members of the Slovakian National squad but such is the current standard in Britain that Ivan Vargovsky could only manage Bronze overall behind Alex Brailsford, Huntingdon and winner Thomas Gibbs from Heathrow. Competition for the under 14 title was hotter than the venue with Antony Wise (South Essex), Matthew Liddiard (Notts), Tom Defina (Woking), Courtney Tulloch & James Hall (Pegasus) all with a chance of glory. The lead swapped with each rotation but an awesome display on Rings put Courtney Tulloch back in the chase after falling from Pommel. The field narrowed but closest rival Antony Wise was unable to catch him, Courtney running out the overall champion a mark clear and a mere 0.55 from the magic 80.00!
Competition ended (early), down came the Men's apparatus, in went the Beam and asymmetric bars and the scene was set for yet another successful day with slick organisation succeeding in completing the four rounds ahead of time. Diminutive 8 year olds demonstrated control and elegance with some outstanding work from Tamara Ballancore from Summerfields taking top spot overall and three apparatus Golds. Some very talented youngsters from Pegasus were touting for glory in the 2nd round. Crisp, classy and apparently glued to the beam they swung and danced their way to the rostrum with Megan Nathan taking Silver all round, behind a phenomenal talent Sasha Winton from Phoenix. Several of the older girls were warming up for the British with some fabulous work from the highly talented Francesca Vincent and Amy Middleton from Horsham and Claire Stocks from Huntingdon. Horsham continues to produce excellence across the board taking home all the golds: Francesca Overall and Floor, Amy Vault and Jocelyn Hunt Bars and Beam. The Slovenian girls demonstrated gymnastics doesn't end at 20 with Tamara Glazar winning silver on Beam and Floor. In the final round it was clear in the warm up that last year's champion Lydia Burgess from Horsham was taking no prisoners. Technically accurate with abundant artistry and fabulous focus she just gets better and better, winning the overall title, gold on Beam and Floor together with silver on Vault and Bars!
Overall Champions
Boys Development Championships
Under 8 Adam Tobins - Falcons
Under 9 Lewis Irons - Sapphire
Under 10 James Lamb - Pegasus
Under 11 Joseph Beretta - Pegasus
Under 12 Mathew Post - Pipers Vale
Boys Voluntary Championships
Under 10 - Loukas Jones - Leeds
Under 12 - Brinn Bevan - South Essex
Under 14 - Courtney Tulloch - Pegasus
Under 16 - Thomas Gibbs - Heathrow
Open - Cameron McKenzie - Huntingdon
Boys Under 12 Teams 1st Waveney & Pipers Vale 2nd Baskervilles 3rd Dynamo
Girls Voluntary Championships
8 years Tamara Ballancore - Summerfields
9 years Sasha Winton - Phoenix
10 / 11 years - Lydia Burgess - Horsham
12 / 13 years - Eleanor Clifford - Colchester
14 years & over Francesca Vincent- Horsham
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Page updated: 30 June 2009