Team GB made history by winning their first ever team title today in Glasgow at the World Championships
USA Claimed Gold, China win silver and Team GB edged out Russia to claim Bronze
Great Britain’s women’s gymnastics team have made history at the Hydro Arena in Glasgow by winning world bronze at the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, the first ever team medal won by Great Britain at a World Championships.
The team of Rebecca Downie, Ellie Downie, Claudia Fragapane, Amy Tinkler, Ruby Harrold and Kelly Simm sensationally overtook powerhouses Russia to clinch the bronze medal in style at their home championships scoring 172.380 behind the USA (181.338) and China (176.164).
After a having to count a fall on their first piece of apparatus, the bars, the girls needed to be on top form as they progressed through the competition. Becky Downie anchored the team with an impressive 14.833 however on what is her specialist piece, to keep to girls in contention. Moving on to beam, the British girls looked calm and confident as they went through cleanly, at this point in the competition the only country to do so, Ellie Downie scoring the top mark with 14.133. Moving on to floor the girls looked incredible as they powered through difficult tumbles and nailed their landings, all the while the home crowd cheering their every move. Pocket-rocket Claudia Fragapane brought the house down with her routine and her score of 14.733. Moving onto the final apparatus, GB had to score in the high 14’s minimum to overtake Russia who had troubles on the bars and beam. Claudia and Amy produced some superb vaults to put GB right in the mix and it all came down to Ellie Downie, she produced the vault of her life to score a worlds class 15.133 to seal the deal and take the historic bronze medal.
Ellie Downie spoke after about clinching the bronze medal with her vault: “It was quite nerve-racking, I could hear the crowd and all of the girls getting behind me so, I’m so proud of these guys I love them all so much!”
Sister Rebecca Downie, as the most experienced team member, could not have been prouder of the girls: “I think we all knew that we had a shot coming into it today and I just tried to keep the girls just as relaxed as we could. We went shopping earlier, we’ve just had a chilled out day and tried to keep the mood pretty light. After the first mistake on bars, I was like, it’s never over until the end that’s what GB is about we fight for everything and I am so proud of all of them, it’s just amazing!”
Full results -http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/site/page/view?id=831
Watch the girl’s reaction after they received their medal - https://www.facebook.com/britishgymnastics/videos/vb.280059768493/10153236976163494/?type=2&theater
The 2015 World Gymnastics Championships continues tomorrow, as the British boys go for gold in the men’s team final with coverage on BBC Two from 7pm. Read more on their qualification here.
