Normally competing in national FIG B competitions this was the first time the youngsters added an international dimension to a competition and so whilst all being excited there were also many trepidations. Victoria Bramble was competing in the Junior group for those aged over 14, whilst Josh Newman and Susanna Badley were competing in the 13 – 14 age group competition.
Short of the seniors, a group packed with full international competitors, the juniors is probably the most difficult group in which to shine since many nations, notably the Russians and Americans, use these World Cup competitions as a big test of their future internationals. Victoria was competing against over 40 others including performers from as far away as Brazil, USA & Russia as well as those closer to home. Finishing 11th in such a group ahead of 15 of the other Brits she regularly competes against and only behind 2, she did incredibly well.
Susanna in the 13-14 girls group of 44 had a slightly disappointing start laying 9th after her set routine, normally her strongest, but pulling all the stops out in her voluntary she hauled in her opposition going into the final in 4th place where she enthralled the judges who awarded their highest marks for a final voluntary of the day, to lift her into 3rd place with a score of 131.33 just 0.5% behind the 2nd placed performer.
Josh simply wowed the judges of his 13-14 boys group competition of 23 from beginning to end. Establishing a clear lead in the first round he was not to lose it ending up scoring 139.425 over the 3 rounds, 3% more than his nearest competitor, a Russian normally known as one of the stronger nations. With just 7 GB performers in this group it was a real international test.
On their return the club’s latest international competitors said that they were
“excited and nervous before the competition but it was an amazing experience to compete against gymnasts from other countries.”They all agreed that they were also excited about the prospect of doing it again soon.
