London Open 2022

A successful weekend in London saw Woking gymnasts take home medals in every age group.

Max Veo-Creek, Jay Coote and Ben Porter were performing in the U14 competition. Max and Jay enjoyed good competitions, both improving on their scores from this year’s British Championships to finish in 30th and 25th place respectively. With a few mistakes and a fall on pommels, Ben was not completely satisfied with his performance. However, winning is a habit and Ben’s successful year continued with a bronze medal on vault, silver on pommels and gold on rings. His total of 72.5 was enough to earn him top spot all around and he was awarded with the coveted Max Whitlock Trophy.

With the afternoon came the turn of the seniors. After a lengthy period on the side-lines, Jamie Lewis was competing for the first time this year. His lack of competition fitness was evident as errors crept in, but he was able to take home a bronze medal on pommels and a silver on rings. Teammates Tim McCarthy and Fraser Griffiths were competing in their final competition in Woking colours. They can both be proud of their performances and indeed their careers as they move onto pastures new.

As one chapter came to an end, another was just starting; Oscar Mitchell was competing in his first major voluntary competition. With a 21st place finish all around, the highlight of his day was undoubtedly his vault; here a stuck landing was rewarded with a bronze medal.

Josh Porter and Charlie Rose demonstrated poise and confidence as they went about their routines in the U18 category. Josh scored over 70 for the first time in a major competition, finishing in 13th place AA he also took home a bronze medal for his H-Bar routine. After many years with our MAG squad Charlie has decided to hang up his guards for the final time. He competed on just two apparatus but was delighted to bow out with clean routines on both Pommels and Rings.
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The final round of competition saw Oli Porter compete in the U16 competition. He showed great maturity to bounce back from a mistake on the pommels and deliver some beautiful routines. He finished the competition with a stuck landing to earn him an all-around PB of 71.85 and a gold medal on the H-Bar.