This week we focus on Leeds University’s Gymnastics Society, as they walk us through their average week, how they are performing and the state of British gymnastics post-Olympics.
The society specialise in Artistic Gymnastics and, while they do have members who practise free-running, tumbling and trampolining, they run us through what exactly this entails.
“Artistic Gymnastics is the gymnastics that you see on the TV. It involves 4 apparatus for the girls – floor, bars, beam and vault, but men do 6 apparatus – floor, vault, high bar, pommel horse, rings and parallel bars.”
Unlike many other societies, Gymnastics competitions are held only on a few occasions throughout the year, with the main BUCs event in February.
“Last season we picked up 10 different medals, from boys beginners vault up to BUC’s girls vault and Boys Parallel Bars Champions with our performers beating over 60 people to get gold.
“Fingers crossed we will be able to replicate this year.”
Watching the climb of British gymnastics, the society take inspiration from their encounters with Leeds’ City Elites, with whom they train.
“We train at the same time as some of the City of Leeds Elites and Ashley Watson has newly been placed in the GB squad, and although he might be from Leeds Met he is one to watch on Parallel Bars and High Bar.”
In international competitions, the men are climbing sensationally to the top of the game, although Kohei Uchimata is still the one to beat.
“Our GB team are literally climbing to the top of mens gymnastics.
“Max Whitlock is our main contender as an all around, coming 4th at Worlds this year, but he’s also taking on Louis Smith’s place as a GB hopeful for gold on the pommel horse.”
The ladies still have a long way to go though, as the Russians and Americans continue to dominate, their graceful and powerful styles contrasting. There are still some girls to watch on the women’s side though, particularly the bar routines of Ruby Harold.
“For Britain Rebecca Tunny is the one at the top and she’s been slowly increasing placings over the years.
“But its Ruby Harrold’s bar routine that you have to watch, she does a crazy connection between the bars which always looks like she’s going to fall off and land on her face.”
To get involved in Gymnastics at Leeds, find out more about their Give it a Go events to come in early 2014 at www.facebook.com/leedsuniversitygymnastics?fref=ts
Jamie Kirby
Image courtesy of the BBC