Rhythmic | Medal Success at New Home Nations Tournament
Scottish rhythmic gymnasts picked up nine medals representing Scotland at a new international tournament which was held in Cardiff from 27 to 28 May, including a phenomenal all-around gold.
Organised by Welsh Gymnastics, and taking place at the Sport Wales National Centre, the competition provided an opportunity for home nations gymnasts and coaches to compete against other UK nations and develop the skills they need to continue to progress on the competitive pathway.
Those representing Scotland were selected in line with Scottish Gymnastics performance programme objectives and selection criteria based on scores at the recent zonal grades and team open apparatus competitions.
Gymnasts from Scotland, England and Wales competed for medals across three age categories, Espoir, Junior and Senior with medals awarded for individual performances, groups and a team competition.
Having recently returned from representing GB at the European Championships in Baku, day one of the competition saw 2022 Team Scotland silver ribbon medallist, Louise Christie from Beacon pipping England’s Commonwealth all-around star, Marfa Ekimova to the senior individual all-around gold thanks to her score of 111.534.
On day two, Beacon’s junior group of Clara Paris, Emilie Findlay, Eva Florentsdottir, Hania Czesbresuk, Orla Arnott and Polina Cooper went on to win bronze for their ball routine in the junior group competition, and despite Louise Christie withdrawing from apparatus finals, there was no shortage of great performances in the hope of individual medals.
In the junior age group, Annabel Weir (Pentland) competed well to secure a place in all four apparatus finals and ended with double bronze with 19.150 in the ribbon final and 21.567 in the ball final.
At senior level, there was Scottish representation in all finals and a trio of bronze medals for Esprit’s Cara McKay in the hoop, ball and clubs finals. Murrin Mclean from Pentland came second for her clubs routine and Beacon’s Emma Morrison rounded off the medals with bronze in the senior ribbon final bringing Scotland’s total to nine.
Congratulations to everyone who won medals at the competition, and well done to everyone selected to compete for Scotland over the weekend. We look forward to following the gymnasts’ progress over the course of the performance programmes.
We would also like to thank the extended team, including judges, Ruth Wilson, Violeta Staeva and Jamie Robb as well as coaches, Deb Hows, Laura Ytre-Eide and Sarah Uysal.
You can find full results from the 2023 Rhythmic Home Nations Tournament on the competium website.