FIVE gymnasts from Quayside Trampoline & Gymnastics Club, in Bridgwater, showcased their talent at the 2018 British Championships for Trampoline, Tumbling and DMT at the end of last month.

All five had qualified through competitions earlier in the year, to take their place alongside more than 400 other gymnasts from across the UK at the Arena Birmingham.

European silver medallist Corey Walkes held off stiff competition from his Great Britain team-mates to win gold in the 17-21 male category.

Walkes was also awarded the coveted Paul Luxon Memorial Trophy, presented to the gymnast who achieved the highest execution score for the two routines in the preliminary rounds.

Paul Luxon, who passed away in 2004, became Great Britain’s first ever world champion in 1972.

He was the training partner and good friend of Quayside’s head coach Susan Bramble, and the inspiration behind the The Luxon Centre in Bridgwater.

Reigning British ladies champion Laura Gallagher performed three valiant routines over two days, before being pipped into the bronze medal position by two of her GB team-mates.

Gallagher and Walkes (both coached by Bramble) are waiting to see if they have been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Championships in St Petersburg in November.

Mike Oleksiyevets (9-10 yrs boys), competing in his first British Championships, was the first Quayside gymnast to compete.

After performing two solid routines he placed third going into Sunday’s final, where he held his nerve to complete his routine and bring home a bronze medal.

Bridgwater Mercury:

BRONZE: Mike Oleksiyevets and coach Carl Hall.

In a strong 11-12 female category, 12-year-old Talia Macrides was also competing in her first British Championships.

With two good routines, Macrides finished 12th in her group, narrowly missing out on the final.

The 11-12 male category was a closely-fought group, and Theo Gundry White performed two great routines, taking him into Sunday’s final in fifth place.

White managed to pull up a place, finishing in a very respectable fourth position.

All three juniors are coached by Carl Hall.

The CBBC TV programme ‘Gymstars’ is currently filming a documentary about Quayside, and were following the gymnasts throughout the weekend’s competition.

They will continue to follow their progress for the forthcoming months, ready for their next series.

Quayside offer a full range of Trampoline and Gymnastic classes for all ages from 18 months and upwards.

For more details on Quayside, visit the website, or call 01278 458060.