Chichester gymnasts win their race against time

Chichester Olympic Gymnastic Club members, who have been in fine form

Competitions which follow the British Gymnastics development programmes for regional and national grades and compulsory levels are attended by the best gymnasts from the top clubs across Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

All 14 of the Chichester gymnasts were entering the grades for the first time and all passed with flying colours, managing to achieve distinctions over competitors who have been training all year for this event.

Ten of the Chichester gymnasts ranked in the top ten of their respective grades (individual ranking, overall score), with all 14 ranking in the top 15.

Chichester gymnasts appeared in the top ten scores for the whole region: eight for vault, eight for asymmetric bars, 11 for beam and nine for floor. It’s an excellent achievement when you consider they started to prepare for the grades only weeks ago. Head coach Clare Wulff said: “I am so proud of all of my girls as they have all worked so hard and achieved such a fine set of results.

“We were undecided about entering the grades, as all of the girls have been busy at competitions across the region and this would mean that they would need to learn a different set of routines to be tested against.

“When the suggestion was voiced that we could look to take part next year, the girls unanimously took up the gauntlet and wanted the challenge of pushing themselves to reach the required level for this year.

“Initially I didn’t think it was achievable as there was less than eight weeks to go, but my great team of dedicated coaches pulled hard together and everything fell into place in no time at all.”

The Chichester gymnasts had no time to rest as they were soon back on their main training schedule ready to take on the region again.

On Sunday they hosted the annual Naomi Stamp memorial competition and this Sunday they stage their annual Chichester Invitational four-piece competition.

If anyone would like to see some outstanding gymnastics, the event takes place at the Timothy Peake Sports Centre at Chichester High School For Boys from 8.30am. Further details are available from COGC on 01243 790255.