Honiton gymnasts finish fourth in British Age Group championships
Honiton acrobatic gymnasts Lauren Davey and Sarah Hodkinson narrowly missed out on the medals in their category at British Acrobatic Gymnastics championships, finishing fourth against a top class field from some of the best clubs in the world.
The girls’ pair, who are competing in the Flanders international Acro Cup in Belgium next week, have been climbing the ranks since they first competed at the 11-16 ‘world age group’ level just over a year ago, and the result gave them Honiton’s highest ever placing in the category.
15-year-old Uffcolme student Sarah balanced 11-year old Lauren, from Honiton Primary, in handstands on her outstretched arms, threw her for somersaults, and held her on one arm above her head in ‘contortionesque’ poses. It was the pair’s combination of control and dymnamism that made them a hit with the judges.
High performance coach Helen Nayler said: “The girls competed exceptionally well. Some of their competitors – including some of the most respected partnerships in the world – made mistakes and fell, but in a strong field with over 20 other national-level pairs, Lauren and Sarah proved that they had the technical ability and consistency to be up there hunting for medals. They put their heart and soul into their performance at the weekend, and we were extremely proud of them.”
Most of the gymnasts that the Honiton duo were competing against train many more hours in full time, purpose-built centres, while some of the equipment that Lauren and Sarah practice on is 30 years old and very different than the equipment they compete on.
Lauren and Sarah weren’t the only ones competing at the British Championships. The girls’ trio of Valentine Tutcher, Shaylee Moore and Jes Kenaway – current national development plan champions – were on excellent form too, scoring the highest mark of their career so far in their first routine. After their final routine, the girls’ technical execution and artistic scores put them in fifth position – their best result to date – but a full mark penalty after the routine finished, due to an error on their declared moves, left them in tenth position.
Helen added: “I’ve never seen the trio compete better. They were sharp, clean, and very precise, so it was very unfortunate that their result didn’t reflect this. The trio are also competing in Belgium next week, so they’ll be looking to show the rest of Europe what they’re capable of.”
Both partnerships are in the elite squad of Honiton Gym Club, which is seeing fun and success running through its ranks, from its novice and intermediate gymnasts, right through to its top end.
To find out more about the variety of classes for all ages and levels, or to see videos and photos of the trio and the pair, visit www.honitongymclub.org. Alternatively, you can contact Helen Nayler on 07825 181693.
