Thirteen members of our boys’ squad travelled to Pegasus Gymnastics Club to compete in the South East Grades qualifier. With gymnast entered across nine different categories, it was a busy morning for our coaches but the gymnasts delivered with some good routines. Ben Porter was competing in the elite level 2 category and registered the highest AA total across all the age groups, his score of 65.467 ensured he took home the gold medal and was crowned regional champion. Four other gymnasts were also awarded the title of regional champion in their respective age categories; Oliver Porter (elite level 4), Thomas O’Connor (club level 5), Alex Donchev (elite level 5), and Sarp Orbay (club level 6). There were silver medals for Josh Porter (elite level 6), Joel Ireland (club level 6) and Jamaal Kashim (club level 4). All in all, Woking qualified thirteen gymnasts for the national finals in November, more than any other club in the region. Well done to all the boys who competed, the list of qualifiers is shown below.

Elite level 1- James Fricker

Elite level 2- Ben Porter, Max Veo-Creek, Jay Coote, Harrison Lamble

Elite level 4- Oliver Porter

Elite level 5- Alex Donchev

Elite level 6- Josh Porter

Club level 2- Hayden Blackmun

Club level 4- Jamaal Kashim

Club level 5- Thomas O’Connor

Club level 6- Sarp Orbay, Joel Ireland

Woking’s representation at this prestigious event began on the Saturday morning with five of our U14 gymnasts competing in the “Max Whitlock” competition. Josh Porter was the highest placed Woking athlete, despite a fall on H-bar he finished in a respectable 8th place AA (68.85). Sarp Orbay looked much improved and scored 65.10 to take the 19th spot. Woking gymnasts also occupied the 20th and 21st place spots; Alex Donchev (64.350) and Joel Ireland (64.300) showing some good routines. Tom O’Connor had a clean competition and finished in 26th (62.60).

The senior competition that followed, the Westminster cup, was to be the final trial for the upcoming world championships, as such the standard was high with the best gymnasts in the country vying for a spot on the plane to Stuttgart. Jamie Lewis picked himself up well after the disappointment of last weekend’s British Teams to finish in fifth place AA (80.35), he also won a bronze medal for his routine on the rings. Timothy McCarthy was competing on just three apparatus, he completed clean routines on Pommels and P-Bars but unfortunately fell on his new vault. Lorenzo Carrozzo was competing in Woking colours for the final time, an injury at last weekend’s British Teams meant he was just performing on the Pommels. It was not his best routine, we wish Lorenzo good luck and hope he has better fortune as he starts the next chapter of his life at university.

Sunday morning began with the U18 competition. Jasper Smith-Gordon again proved himself to be one of the best junior gymnasts in the world as he twice scored over 14 to take home gold medals on Floor (14.100) and the vault (14.500). Teammate Fraser Griffiths competed on four apparatus and picked up a bronze medal for his rings routine.

Woking had two gymnasts competing in the inaugural “Brewer Trophy” for U12 gymnasts. Oliver Porter performed some great routines but mistakes on Rings and P-bars knocked him just outside the top six. He finished in 7th place AA (67.350) and won a gold medal for his H-Bar routine. Jamaal Kashim did not have the best of days, he suffered a number of falls and ended the competition with an AA total of 54.850 (36th).

The final competition of the weekend was the “Trevor Low” competition for U16 gymnasts. Neither Christian Fuoco nor Rudi Moriano were competing on all six apparatus. Christian’s highest placing was 16th on floor whilst Rudi managed a 17th place finish on rings.