Esprit gymnasts ARE the best in Britain
12 December 2007

Seven Swindon gymnasts compete at 2007 British Championships, with staggering results –
7 British Championship Gold’s, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze and 2 Overall British individual Champions.
It was a long journey for the gymnasts of Stratton based club Esprit, to finally get to the competition of the year – the 2007 British Rhythmic Gymnastic Championships. But it really was well worth the wait.

An unprecedented seven of the clubs gymnasts had qualified, including the reigning under-10 British Champion, Laura Halford, who was hoping to feature in the medals again this year, this time at under-11. But the sport continues to grow and develop at a fast pace, so performing well and gaining a respectable placing was the best anyone could hope for.
It was a case of preparing well, working hard and not letting the obvious nerves show, especially for the girls who were at their first ever British Championships. A task made harder by the fact the event was being filmed for BG-TV as well.

DAY ONE – OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saw the overall championships being decided and every single Esprit gymnast, no matter what the age group, excelled, producing magnificent results.

The under 9 Championships saw Esprit’s Gabriela Caruso start off proceedings and what a start it was! Two almost faultless performances saw her win Gold and the title of ‘Under 9 individual British Champion’, at her very first attempt, an unbelievable start for her and the large crowd of supporters from Esprit that travelled to Fenton Manor, Stoke-on-Trent to support the gymnasts.
Gabriella’s fabulous start set a very high benchmark for the other Esprit girls to follow, but they make them tough at Esprit and one after another they all performed out of their skin to produce some outstanding performances.

GB team member Alicia Veveris took the overall Silver medal in the under-10 category and she was followed by teammate Maya Lucas, who was agonisingly, just out of a medal position in 4th place.
Next up was reigning Under 10 British Champion Laura Halford, who having just won her 3rd Welsh crown in as many years was now, trying to do the double at the British Championships as well.

A fantastic score of 25.684 saw her do just that, ‘Overall British Under-11 Champion’, saw Esprit claim its second British Champion of the weekend and it was only the first day, could it get any better?

The under 13 section saw Gemma Rand, produce some beautifully executed routines to claim a very creditable 9th in the whole country, which for her own first championships, should make her very proud indeed.

The Junior’s were the last to compete on day one and Micia Falaki and teammate to Great Britain’s Alicia and Laura, Jade Faulkner, were Esprit’s final competitors of the day. Micia again at her first championships continued to provide the Esprit crowd something to cheer about, finishing 11th overall and last up Jade, put in yet another great performance to win the overall, Junior Bronze medal position and yet another podium finish for the Swindon club.

DAY 2 – INDIVIDUAL APPARATUS FINALS

After the results of day one the girls were tired but ecstatic and nothing more could be really expected of them, even though they had all qualified for at least one apparatus final.

Gabriela was first to perform and listening to the TV commentators, they instantly fell in love with her and her amazing flexibility. There comments were not misguided either, with the youngster turning in two high class routines that proved just why she had won the all around the day before, winning both the hoop and free finals and 2 more British Championship titles for Esprit.

Alicia and Maya were next to compete and Maya, managed and 8th and 7th position, whilst Alica followed Saturday’s Silver with a 4th for her Rope and yet another Silver to add to her collection, for her Hoop.

Laura Halford then took to the floor and again showed just what makes a Double British Champion, winning both Gold medals and apparatus championships for her ball & ribbon routines.

Gemma Rand, herself an under 13, was agonisingly close to a medal coming 4th with her ball and 8th in ribbon and Micia Falaki turned in a well deserved 7th in rope. Jade Faulkner then showed her class coming 4th in Rope and Ribbon, before a brilliant, Silver in Hoop.

She then went one better, taking a superb final Gold medal and British title for Esprit, with a well-executed Ball routine.

“What a championships”, said Esprit spokesperson, Mark Hows, “Every one of the girls have worked incredibly hard in the lead up to this championship and have all produced some of their very best work.
They really are a true inspiration for young budding sports people and credit must also be given to head rhythmic coach Deb Hows and the incredible coaching team at Esprit.”

Left to right

Back row: Under 11 British Champion and winner of 2 Individual Apparatus Gold’s – LAURA HALFORD; Individual and apparatus Silver medalist – ALICIA VEVERIS; GEMMA RAND 4th place apparatus finalist; MAYA LUCAS 4th placed in overall championship.

Front row: MICIA FALAKI apparatus finalist; JADE FAULKNER Individual Bronze and Apparatus Gold medal winner and finally, Under 9 British Champion and winner of 2 Individual Gold’s - GABRIELA CARUSO.

 
“No less than SEVEN British Championship Gold medals, Three Silvers and one Bronze from the same championships is an unbelievable result. Esprit can now also boast two overall British Champions in Gabriela and Laura, which is incredible considering the club continues to work from a converted warehouse in the middle of a working industrial estate in Stratton, he concluded”.