Bishop Auckland gymnast, Amy Tinkler, celebrated her 16th birthday by helping to make history at the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow recently.
The 2015 British Champion, taking part in her first World Championships alongside GB teammates Claudia Fragapane, Rebecca Downie, Ellie Downie, Kelly Simm and Ruby Harrold, helped take the GB team to their first ever team medal, securing bronze in the packed Hydro Arena.
The GB girls needed a top eight finish in team qualification to book Team GB places for the Rio 2016 Olympics, and they certainly did that!
Continuing the team’s fine form in the final, Amy’s amazing vault helped GB to sensationally overtake powerhouse Russia and clinch the bronze medal in style at their home championships, scoring 172.380 behind the USA (181.338) and China (176.164).
Afterwards, Amy said: “That was an amazing experience. I’m really happy, mainly of course for the team but also with my own performance in my first ever World Championships.
“I thought I’d be nervous but the crowd were so supportive and loud it made it amazing fun.”
Amy wasn’t finished there, as she also qualified for the all-around final in 7th position, where the best gymnasts in the world compete on all apparatus. Amy placed 23rd with her floor and vault routines standing out.
“It’s all been a bit crazy since winning bronze,” she said immediately after the individual event.
“That was incredible, as the main goal was always to get the Olympic place for GB, so anything here would have been a bonus. I had a few mistakes but it’s my first World Championships, first all-around final, first time competing three days in a row, so it’s all great experience for the future.”
Amy trains for around 30 hours a week in the renowned pink South Durham Gym in Spennymoor with coaches Nicola Preston and Rachael Wright, also from Bishop Auckland. Amy has been at the club since she was two years old and has always been determined and hard working with a love of performing.
Amy attends Durham High School which has always been very supportive of her gymnastics.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
