Gymnastics trio excel

4:49pm Tuesday 29th April 2008

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THREE Wirral athletes met with success at the British Gymnastics Tumbling Championships at Fenton Manor, Stoke.

The girls, who all train at Wirral Gymnastic Club, Birkenhead, competed against some of the best British Tumblers.

Hannah Saunders, aged 12, became British Champion after an incredible qualifying competition.

Hannah completed four different tumble runs consisting of back flicks, twisting and double somersaults to win by almost two clear points - a huge victory in gymnastic terms.

Hannah, a pupil at South Wirral School, Eastham, represented Great Britain at the World Age Championships in Canada last year and came eighth.

Mica Parry, aged 16, now a regular member of the Great Britain squad, came third in her competition with two difficult final runs. Mica is a member of the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme at Liverpool John Moores University.

The youngest competitor, 10-year-old Claudia Bartlett, surpassed her coaches' expectations when she flicked and somersaulted her way to fourth place in her age group. Claudia, the current county champion in artistic gymnastics, only missed the bronze medal by two-tenths of a mark and will now be selected to train with the national squads for the next 12 months.

Wirral Gymnastics Club, which is recognised by British Gymnastics as a high performance centre and has produced World, European and British champions, is looking for youngsters who think that they have the skill and courage to try the sport.

Working under the guidance of high performance coaches, trials for six to nine-year-olds take place soon. Contact Karen or Derek on 649-0855.