Birmingham’s sporting fans have been praised for their support to some of the nation’s best gymnasts at this weekend’s Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline British Championships at Arena Birmingham.
Olympic silver medallist Bryony Page returned to Birmingham to win the British title and said “The Birmingham public love gymnastics. It is fantastic to see so many people at the Arena Birmingham this weekend and their support was outstanding.”
Leading over night after her first two routines, Bryony Page’s final routine made sure of the title, as she showcased all of her skill for a total score of 159.165 to become British champion for a fourth time.
Page was pushed all the way by Kat Driscoll who was competing in her 22nd successive British Championships. Kat scored 157.380 to take silver, with defending champion Laura Gallagher taking bronze with 154.880.
Page returned to the sport this summer following an ankle injury and said that it was great to be back competing in front of the Birmingham fans. She said “It feels really good to be back here. The event is outstanding and I’m really pleased with my routine. It’s great to come back after a few years out and win the title. It’s really special to me, especially in front of a home crowd who’ve been so supportive of me throughout my injury.”
An attendance of over 3000 people made this the most successful Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT British Championships for the last five years following its venue change to Birmingham.
Over 500 young gymnasts from 80 clubs took part in the two-day spectacular with youngsters travelling from all across the UK to compete.
There were over 85 competitors from the Midlands region with competitors from clubs including Active8 Trampolining Club, Revolution Gymnastics Club and City of Birmingham Gymnastics Club.
Revolution’s Alicia Field and Bailey Forbes both came away with golds in the Women’s 9-10 Tumbling 9-10 and Men’s 11-12 Tumbling respectively.
Alicia, 10, said: “It feels great to be British Champion. It’s been lots and fun and I can’t wait for next year.”
Bailey, 10, said of his 92.800 score: “It felt perfect to me. I really like the dismount of my routine, and today they all went really well.”
Ethan and Jessica of Active8 both took home top honours in the Disabilities Performance Trampolining events.
Ethan, 11, said: “It was really good competing in front of all my family. The favourite part of my routine has got to be the back somersault, straight and a tuck front with a twist, straight. It definitely wasn’t perfect, but I’m happy.
Jessica, also 11, said: “I’m very happy to have won gold. I love competing in Birmingham because I get to compete in front of all my family. I was really happy with how the routine went today, it was nearly perfect.”
Jane Allen, Chief Executive of British Gymnastics said: “I am thrilled to see so many talented gymnastics performing at such a high-level at the Trampoline, Tumbling and Double Mini Trampoline British Championships in Birmingham. It is great to see so many of the established stars taking part and exciting to see the depth of young talent coming through. The sport has a very bright future and Birmingham has once again staged an outstanding event.”
