Sophia welcomes Esprit

The beautiful Bulgarian city of Sophia, was the most recent venue for the Gymnasts from top Swindon club Esprit recently.

10 of them made the trip to the Bulgarian capital Sophia, with the clubs head coach Deb Hows, to compete against more than 130 of the worlds top gymnasts from Czech, Austria, Bulgaria, Italy, Brazil, Serbia, Russia and Belgium.

For some of the clubs up and coming young stars, it was their first ever International competition and this bought with it the inevitable nerves and excitement of seeing a new country for the first time.

But for others such as Laura Halford and Jade Faulkner it was a case of meeting up with old friends from previous International campaigns and renewing their friendly rivalry.

Those competing abroad for the first time included youngsters Cassy Harding, Katy Coleman, Gabriela Caruso, Tayshan Dowe, Fleur Randall and Maya Lucas and considering the lack of International experience they performed exceptionally throughout the 4-day trip.

All the girls were placed within the top 13 in their age groups with Cassy, Katy, and Gabriela all in the top 10. However Cassy turned in a truly outstanding performance winning the Bronze medal for her impressive Ball routine and a well deserved 6^th place overall.

Hannah Curtis, who made her début for Great Britain in 2009 was back at her first International this year and showed how hard work and determination can achieve great things.

Senior gymnast Gemma Rand was competing at her 3^rd International of 2010, following on from being part of the Great Britain Group that competed in Portimao, Spain and the European Championships in Germany, Gemma secured a very impressive overall 6^th place and brilliant Bronze medal for her Hoop.

Esprit’s top Junior was the dependable Laura Halford, who had already competed in Calais and the European Championships in Bremen for Great Britain in 2010 and for Esprit in Portugal, where she made three overall finals and won a spectacular bronze medal with her clubs.

Laura didn’t disappoint with an impressive 6^th place overall in her age group.

Finally Esprit’s newly crowned ‘Master Gymnast’ Jade Faulkner who had already competed for Great Britain in Corbiel France this year, won a 7^th place overall finish and a fabulous Silver medal for her Ribbon routine.

Head coach Deb Hows said, “this has been a wonderful competition and the gymnasts were joy to bring away, extremely well behaved and a credit to Swindon and Esprit.

The trip was designed as preparation for the upcoming British Championships in July, but the girls performed exceptionally and the medals won by Cassy, Gemma and Jade really were an unexpected delight, we’ll certainly be back to visit this beautiful, friendly country again”.