2018 BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIPS

Between Thursday the 8th and Sunday 11th March the 2018 British Championships took place in the Echo Arena, Liverpool.  Woking Gymnastics Club had 11 boys competing over 5 different age groups.

The Under 12 age category got proceedings under way with Woking’s Thomas O’Connor, Santo Fuoco, Alex Donchev, Oliver Porter and Jamaal Kashim all competing in their first Podium British Championships at the Echo Arena.  Thomas performed 6 very clean routines finishing an impressive 13th scoring 67.250.  Santo Fuoco had a very good competition finishing 14th scoring 66.700, Santo also qualified for the Vault Final.  Alex Donchev finished 16th scoring 66.400 and qualified for the Floor Final.  Oliver Porter unfortunately didn’t have his best competition and finished 30th scoring 63.00.  Jamaal Kashim overcame a nervous start and finished 43rd scoring 60.500.

The next age group to compete were the Under 18s and Jamie Lewis and Lorenzo Carrozzo were competing for Woking.  Jamie was looking to win his 5th consecutive British title but unfortunately things didn’t go his way!  Jamie had a poor start falling on floor and performing a bad pommel routine.  With an unorthodox fall on Parallel bars his British dream was over, Jamie finished 4th scoring 77.150 and won Gold on Pommels and Rings.  He also qualified for the Rings Masters Final.  Lorenzo Carrozzo competed well, with some nervous moments throughout finishing 10th scoring 72.00 and collecting the Bronze on Pommels.

Friday saw the Under 14 age group take centre stage and Woking’s Joshua Porter was competing.  Josh performed 6 clean routines finishing 13th scoring 67.900 and qualified for the High Bar Final.

Saturday morning was the Under 16 age category. Woking’s Jasper Smith-Gordon and Fraser Griffiths were competing, in what was a very close competition, where 4 gymnasts were tied for 2nd place going into the last apparatus.  Woking’s Jasper held his nerve to secure the impressive Bronze medal in the all-around scoring 73.400.  Fraser performed 5 amazing routines and was in contention for a medal but unfortunately fell twice on his last apparatus to finish 5th scoring 71.650.  Fraser also gained a Bronze medal for a lovely Rings routine.

Saturday afternoon saw the senior age group compete.  With the likes of Max Whitlock and Nile Wilson competing it was an amazing spectacle of gymnastics.  Woking’s Timothy McCarthy was competing in his first Senior British Championships.  Tim held his nerves and performed some lovely clean routines to finish 16th scoring 70.700.
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Sunday was Finals day with the Under 12, Under 14 and Masters Finals all taking place on the last day of competition at the 2018 British Championships.  Woking had Alex Donchev competing in the Under 12 Floor Final, Alex executed his routine superbly only losing 0.35 in deductions!  Alex secured the Silver medal at his first British Championships scoring 12.95……Well done!  In the Vault Final Santo Fuoco performed his new Straight Kasamatsu and narrowly missed out on a medal finishing 4th scoring 12.650.  Joshua Porter qualified for the High Bar Final and performed his routine with a confident style to gain an impressive Bronze medal, scoring 11.500.  Jamie Lewis competed in the Rings Masters Final, his routine was very clean and he missed out on a Bronze medal by less than 0.1 to finish 5th scoring 13.825.
Well done to all Woking’s gymnasts and coaches.