Spelthorne Gymnastics triumphs for the second time in as many months at a major international acrobatic gymnastics event.
A group of 35 gymnasts travelled to Belgium to compete in the Flanders International Acro Cup and World Cup 2018.
The pressure was on the team who ranged in age from 9 years to 22 years as they had a mountain of expectation on their shoulders having dominated in the previous international event.
The partnerships in the 11-16 age group were first up to start the demonstration of quality gymnastics from Spelthorne. Having three sets of partnerships in some categories, the Spelthorne members not only had to compete against other nations but also amongst themselves. Nobody disappointed.
The smallest mixed pair in the 11-16 age group, Ethan Law and Ruby Bird, finished in a great third place given that they were the youngest in their age category.
Andrew Morris-Hunt and Archie Collier, Spelthorne’s 11-16 age group men’s pair beat off tough competition from Russia to finish in the Silver medal position after a close fight with Israel.
Other countries had to battle it out with in the women's pair competition with two partnerships from Spelthorne, but the pairings of Abbey Wilkinson and Hannah Exon, and Sasha Carpenter and Poppy Yates won out by finishing second and first respectively.
Three trios in the women's group category represented Spelthorne well. Kitty Xiberras , Amarni Egbor and Lexi Biddle having only recently moved to this category, put in two steady and well performed routines finishing in a creditable 17th place out of 47. Ellie Simmons, Jolie Bulman and Zemirah Dubery-Coupe stepped up from their last international event to the silver medal position, and gold went to Katie Blackford, Saskia Hobbs and Maddie Wells to add to their international collection.
The final event in this age group continued the domination by Spelthorne with the men’s groups of Jake Turner, Bradley Gold, Jack Clegg and Harry Watson achieving the silver, and Max Crawford, Dan Axford, Jacob Robinson and Cameron Patrick Lothian grabbing the gold medal.
Stepping up an age group to 12-18 years, Spelthorne put on what can only be described as dominant and stunning performances. The mixed pair of Rhys Cowler and Mollie Jaggers topped off their great balance and dynamic routines with a spellbinding and dramatic combined routine capturing the gold medal.
The 12-18 men’s pair of Frazer Windows and Finlay Gray equally placed themselves in contention going into their combined routine. They smashed a brilliant, entertaining and skilful routine to give them the highest score of the whole age group competition and a well-deserved gold medal.
In the senior mixed pair category, the newly formed partnership of George Lee and Sophie Reynolds held their own to the bronze medal.
Senior Men's Group - Lewis, Conor, Charlie & AdamMoving into the World Cup category were Spelthorne's and Great Britain's Lewis Watts, Conor Sawenko, Charlie Tate and Adam Upcott, who wanted retribution having been beaten by the Israeli group in the last World Cup. Leading going into their final routine, the pressure was on as any slight mistake would take the gold from their hands. The routine wowed the crowd and stunned the judges giving them a well-deserved first place above their Israeli counterparts.
The club finished with the highest amount of medals of any club or country achieving 6 golds, 4 silvers and 2 bronze medals.
Spelthorne Gymnastics is now taking registrations for new members at their brand new gym, one of the best Acrobatic and Tumbling facilities in the World, which will open in September.
