Pegasus men impress at British Championships
Report by Fef Griffin
Gymnasts from Pegasus GC near Maidstone put in an impressive performance at the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics British Championships over the weekend (31st Oct/1st Nov).
Joel Burch at Under 16, James Hall and Courtney Tulloch at Under 14 gave their all in an impressive display of quality and technique at Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham at the 2009 British Championships. Joel competed on the Saturday and despite not having totally recovered from a virus demonstrated style and difficulty light years ahead of his standard in 2008.
The difficulty element of his routines already match that of the top six and his overall confidence is building at National level enabling him to take a well deserved 15th place in a highly talented age group. His Rings routine was well executed, high on difficulty to take him to 6th on this tough apparatus. Sustained hard work, patience and maturity should see Joel leap into the top echelons of the sport in the next year.
The under 14 group competing on Sunday started on Pommel, Courtney lay down the gauntlet with a magnificent error free routine and a score of 13.00, which was bettered only once in the competition leaving him with a silver on this apparatus.
James Hall (pictured above) swung through clean and classic but an unfortunate error on his dismount cost him dear to leave him in 10th place. On to Rings, the only apparatus that moves and requires a tricky combination of strength and swinging elements whilst keeping the Rings still is particularly tough.
Courtney looked supreme, the audience keyed in to an astounding combination of strength elements and clean swings to handstand into a beautifully landed double somersault dismount – and his first National title was in is hands well ahead of nearest rival Frank Baines from Southport. From there on it was a two horse race for the overall Championship. Frank ‘s accuracy on High Bar keeping him just ahead of Courtney despite his brilliant bronze medal routine on Floor which included a stunning double front somersault.
James Hall elegant all round with an awesome effort on vault to score 13.95 missed a medal by the merest whisker of 0.1.
Pegasus Performers
Under 12
James Lamb 45th Joseph Mc Morrow 52nd
Under 14
Courtney Tulloch 2nd Overall, Rings 1st, Pommel 2nd, Floor 3rd
James Hall 7th Overall, 4th Vault
Adam Deans 36th
Jonathan Mills Vault 13.35 (13th)
Under 16th
Joel Burch 15th , Rings 6th
Photos courtesy DE Photos, Photographer Helen Cooper
For further information about Pegasus Gymnastics Club visit: www.pegasusgc.org
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Page created: 3 November 2009