It’s been nearly three years since Liverpool’s M&S Arena hosted the most important domestic competition of the year- The British Championship – and the anticipation and expectation were sky high. Unlike any other competition, to take part at the British Championship you must qualify either via passing a grade if you are female gymnast or scoring high enough at the home nations championships if you are a male gymnast. On top of that this championship was serving as a trial for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games so the standard of the competition was unquestionably met and surpassed all the expectations.
 
Woking Gymnastics had ten gymnasts, two girls and eight boys – a real testament for the standards of the club – split in different age groups. First up in Round 1 on Thursday were Annabella Higgins and Isabelle Millen. Solid start on Vault, where Annabella posted one of the highest execution scores. Bars to follow, where unfortunately the nerves got the better out of the girls and the scores didn’t reflect their quality. However, girls picked themselves up and delivered good routines on Beam, where Annabella get complimented for her style and beautiful lines. It was the Floor though, where Izzie delivered a superb routine mixing difficulties and artistry to finish inside top 15 on this apparatus in very strong line up. In the All Around competition Izzie ended up in top 30 with a total of 41.450 points and Annabella coming after an injury placed 38th with a total of 36.500 points.

Between Thursday the 24th and Sunday 27th March the 2022 British Championships took place in the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.  Woking Gymnastics Club had 8 boys competing over 4 different age groups. Unfortunately Jamie Lewis was still unable to compete due to injury.

The Under 16 age category got the proceedings underway, with Oliver Porter competing for Woking.  Oliver had a consistently good competition, performing some lovely routines finishing 15th scoring 68.632.

The Under 14 age category were the next to compete on Friday, Woking had Ben Porter, Jay Coote, and Max Veo-Creek competing in the first sub-division.  Ben performed amazingly well, with a level of routine performance of the highest quality.  His performance was enough to hold off all the other competitors and finish a remarkable 1st place, scoring 74.165 and being crowned the Under 14 British Champion!  Ben also collected the British Pommel Under 14 Champion title and a silver medal on Rings.  Jay performed well finishing 48th scoring 60.931.  Max recovered from his accident at the English Championships to perform admirably finishing 56th scoring 59.764.

Fraser Griffiths competed next in the Senior age group.  Fraser didn’t have his best start, but performed two very good vaults and a clean Parallel Bar routine.  Fraser has one more trial for the Commonwealth Games Scotland team in a few weeks at the National Centre.  We all wish him the best of luck.

The final age category was the Under 18 age group.  Woking had Joshua Porter, Sarp Orbay, and Rudi Moriano competing.  Joshua performed some beautiful routines finishing 15th and scoring 68.75.  Josh also qualified for the Parallel Bar Finals on Sunday finishing 7th.  Sarp had a good competition with only a few wobbles, finishing 17th scoring 67.85.  Rudi had another assured performance finishing 21st scoring 66.633. On Sunday Josh was Woking’s only apparatus finalist.  He performed a clean lovely Parallel Bar routine to finish an impressive 6th.
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Congratulations to all gymnasts and coaches.  It is an amazing achievement for Woking Gymnastics Club to have another British All-Around Champion!!

Between Friday the 11th and Sunday 13th March the 2022 English Championships took place in the Redbridge Centre in Ilford.  Woking Gymnastics Club had 10 boys competing over 4 different age groups.

Unfortunately, Jamie Lewis and Fraser Griffiths had to withdraw due to injury and sickness.
On Friday’s competition the Under 16 age group competed.  Woking’s sole competitor was Oliver Porter.  Oliver had a good competition considering he has overcome a number of injuries recently, he finished 21st with a score of 65.30.

Saturday’s competition saw the Under 18 age category compete.  Woking had Joshua Porter, Rudi Moriano, Sarp Orbay, Joel Ireland and Christian Fuoco competing.  Joshua had a good consistent competition finishing 13th scoring 69.70 and finishing 6th on Pommels.  Rudi performed some mature routines finishing 21st with a score of 65.25.  Sarp had a mixed competition with three good routines, finishing 22nd scoring 64.70.  Joel also struggled with a few apparatus finishing 29th scoring 57.15.  After a real struggle on his first apparatus Christian manged to perform a few clean routines finishing 30th scoring 52.35.

Timothy McCarthy was Woking’s only Senior gymnast.  He performed on four apparatus finishing the competition with two very good vaults and a lovely clean Parallel Bar routine scoring 13.00.
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Sunday was the last day of competition and the Under 14 age category took centre stage.  Woking had three competitors: Ben Porter, Jay Coote, and Max Veo-Creek.  Ben performed brilliantly with some outstanding routines finishing 7th scoring 69.80.  Jay showed some progress with some new skills being performed, but a few costly errors saw him finish 39th scoring 61.40.  Max unfortunately slipped of the Rings performing his dismount, resulting in him having to withdraw from the competition at his first apparatus.  Max is fortunately fine and will be looking forward to his next competition in a few weeks.
Congratulations to all gymnasts and coaches.