EIGHT Barry YMCA gymnasts had a fantastic experience when they competed at the Presidential Classic Invitational event at the ESPN World of Sport in Disneyworld, Florida.

The Barry gymnasts joined over 2000 gymnasts from America and other countries at the competition and between them they won 20 medals, eight trophies and a team award.

In the oldest age group of the Excel Gold category Chloe Sullivan took centre stage on the awards podium placing first on floor and joint first on beam.

She also gained medals for placing second on vault and eighth on bars, and was awarded a trophy for placing second overall.

Four Barry gymnasts competed in the second age group of the Excel Gold category.

Erin Gamble climbed onto the podium five times, gaining medals for placing third on bars, joint fourth on beam, sixth on floor, seventh on vault and a trophy for placing fifth overall.

Evie Wong claimed medals for placing seventh on bars and eighth on vault and a trophy for placing joint ninth overall.

Training partner Bria Karim enjoyed similar success gaining medals for placing joint second on floor, fifth on vault and a trophy for placing 11th overall.

Laila-Jade Lang also had the opportunity to visit the awards podium to collect her trophy for placing 13th overall.

Caitlin Meadows competed in the third age group of the Excel Gold category and like her teammates she had the experience of visiting the podium on a number of occasions.

She was awarded medals for placing third on vault and seventh on floor, in addition to a trophy for placing joint seventh overall.

Bria, Caitlin, Chloe, Erin, Evie and Laila-Jade were all part of the Excel Gold team that were thrilled to receive a team award for placing fourth overall.

Ffion Bryne, 17, was the most experienced gymnast competing for Barry and she competed in the higher Level Eight category.

She demonstrated lovely artistry in her dance on floor which assisted her in claiming a medal for sixth place on floor, which was added to by a medal for fifth on vault and a trophy for placing tenth overall.

Lara Watkins competed in the Level Seven category and she too had the opportunity to visit the awards podium, gaining medals for placing sixth on vault, eighth on floor, joint eighth on beam and ninth on bars. She was awarded a trophy for placing ninth overall.

A great experience was had by both gymnasts and coaches. Huge thanks are given to coaches Aimee, Anne, Charlotte and Karen for making the trip a reality and looking after the gymnasts throughout the trip.

Thanks are also sent to everybody who helped with the fundraising to enable this trip to take place.

The club would like to send a special thanks to Barry Town Council for their financial contribution.

Barry YMCA Gymnastics Club has a full programme of gymnastics opportunities for children and adults of all ability levels.

To find out more about the gymnastics opportunities available year round at Barry YMCA please call 01446 724001 and visit their Facebook page at www.facebook/ymcabarry.