English championships 2019

English Championships 
1st – 3rd March 2019
Redbridge Sports and Leisure Centre

U14 Competition (70 competitors)

• Thomas O’Connor – 24th
• Alex Donchev – 26th
• Josh Porter – 31st, Bronze on P-Bars
• Joel Ireland 36th

U18s

• Jasper Smith-Gordon – 5th
• James Miller – 20th

Seniors

• Jamie Lewis – 2nd (bronze on pommel, silver on rings)
• Tim McCarthy – 6th (Louis Smith Pommel Award)
• Lorenzo Carrozzo – 12th

U12s (63 Competitors)

• Oliver Porter – 27th
• Jamaal Kashim – 31st

U16s

• Christian Fuoco – 20th
• Rudi Moriano – 27th
• Charlie Rose – 39th

 
The English Championships is the first major competition in the gymnastics calendar. Woking had a strong representation with 14 boys competing across five different age groups. Friday’s competition began with the U14s, all the boys were trying new routines and will have gained valuable experience. Thomas O’Connor was the top scoring Woking Gymnast finishing in 24th place, just ahead of team mate Alex Donchev (26th). Josh Porter made some costly errors on the H-bar resulting in a 31st place finish but he was delighted to win a Bronze medal on the parallel bars. Joel Ireland was competing in his first ever English championships finishing 36th out of 70 in a tough age group. 

With Saturday morning came the turn of the U18s. James Miller (20th) had a good competition but unfortunately fell on H-Bar and Floor. Jasper Smith-Gordon put in some consistent performances without major error to finish in a very creditable 5th place.

The senior competition featured World, European and Olympic medallists, despite a couple of large mistakes Jamie Lewis proved he is up there with the best of them, finishing in second place. He also took home the bronze medal on pommels and a silver on rings. Tim McCarthy had the competition of his life and finished in a very impressive 6th place. He was also presented with the Louis Smith Pommel Award, this trophy was given for the routine with the fewest deductions on the pommel horse. Team mate Lorenzo Carrozzo was disappointed with his 12th place finish.

Oliver Porter and Jamaal Kashim competed in the U12 category on Sunday, finishing 27th and 31st respectively. In the final session of a long weekend, Christian Fuoco, Rudi Moriano and Charlie Rose took part in the U16 category. Christian was especially pleased to put out his double back on floor for the first time and finished the competition in 20th AA. Rudi (27th) and Charlie (39th – No floor or vault due to injury) were both delighted to make it through their pommel routines without falling.

The boys will all be straight back in the gym this week preparing for the upcoming British Championships.