Britain won team gold at the European Gymnastics Championships by holding off Italy in Turkey last night (Wednesday).
The team of Jessica Gadirova, Becky Downie, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton posted a combined score of 164.428 points over the four apparatus to become the European Champions.
The team’s captain, reigning world champion Jessica Gadirova said: “I’m so proud of this team, we put in some massive performances today and it feels so special to have won as a team.
“Personally I’m so happy to have been able to deliver my routines for the team, it feels incredible to stand on the top of the podium with them.”
Italy came in second with a combined 161.629 points while the Netherlands came third with 158.896 points.
Becky Downie added: “It definitely feels nice to be back! It’s been a long wait for me to get back into a position like this and I couldn’t be more proud of the whole team. Going last up I knew I had to keep my focus on concentre on what I can do and I’m so happy to have produced that routine today – this feels incredible.”
The British team’s competition began on beam, Ondine Achampong (Aylesbury) last year’s European silver medallist showed her class first up with a superb routine scoring 13.366.
Georgia-Mae Fenton (South Essex) followed up with some stylish work counting one fall to score 12.333 with Alice Kinsella (Park Wrekin) the 2019 European beam champion producing an impressive acrobatic display for 12.766 points. Last up Jessica Gadirova (Aylesbury) cemented the teams great start scoring a massive 13.6 for her confident and well executed display.
On to floor, Georgia-Mae was elegant and graceful scoring 12.9, Ondine following with a huge opening tumble in a fantastic routine that scored 13.166. Alice Kinsella produced a stunning tumbling masterclass to score 13.466 and then two-time reigning European floor champion Jessica Gadirova wowed the whole crowed with her enormous tumbling and action-packed choreography to score 13.900. On vault the team were precise and professional nailing their landings – exactly what was needed – Georgia-Mae scoring 13.733, Alice 13.833, Jessica 14.2 and Ondine 13.966.
Finally on the uneven bars Jessica completed her outstanding competition with a tidy routine scoring 13.866, Alice Kinsella unfortunately counted a fall midway through her routine which she fought back well from scoring 12.466, Georgia-Mae soared between the bars in her fantastic routine scoring her 13.833. The last routine saw Becky Downie (Amber Valley) return to major championships action and she returned in style producing a tremendous routine scoring 14.366.
These results also qualified them for this week’s individual finals. Jessica Gadirova and Georgia-Mae Fenton will be aiming for the podium in Fridays all-around final whilst Jessica will also contend the beam and floor final, Ondine beam, Alice floor and Becky the bars.
The championships continue on Thursday with the men’s all-around final with Jake Jarman and Joshua Nathan in action for Great Britain, the event will be shown live on BBC2 from 2pm.
Source: British Gymnastics
Photo credit: Team GB
