This year has been so busy but I’ve had an incredible time. It started at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in January, where I managed to win Gold on Pommel Horse and prove that I’m still a good all rounder on the other 5 apparatus. We had some Grand Prix events in Moscow, Belgium, and Paris and I made some more finals before flying to Amsterdam to compete in my first ever Senior Europeans event. I was happy to make top 8 on Pommels with one of my best routines, although a few small errors put me in 4th overall - still good and very happy to see Dan Keatings from Huntingdon take Silver in the same event - We have an AWESOME team here.
In March I was proud to be part of the launch of the first London 2012 partner, Lloyds TSB, performing with other gymnasts…in the company of a beautiful black horse!
Me on my own horse:
In June our Club won the British Team Championships and then I began a hard period of preparation for the World Championships in Stuttgart in September. This was a fantastic competition and I really enjoyed performing with the worlds best in front of over 10000 gymnastics fans. Me and Dan made Pommels Final and I managed to take the bronze medal - my first ever World Placing. I came back to a load of support from friends and family and enjoyed doing the adidas shoot on a set of rings underneath Marble Arch (didn’t like doing a crucifix at 7am though):
I took my first holiday in 2 years and had real trouble packing without having to put my gym gear in the suitcase - very strange! I came back to win the British Title on Horse and take Silver in the Glasgow Grand Prix a few weeks ago. My World Medal got me an invitation to the Toyota Cup in Japan so on the 5th December I fly off for the last big event of the year.
Beijing was never really on my plan but this year has shown that I have the potential to get there so I’m now focussing hard on staying fit and qualifying for the big one next August. My dream is for 2012 but I’m ready for China and so is Dan.
