GYMNASTS at Barry YMCA Gymnastics Club remain in contention to qualify for next year's Commonwealth Games, after the latest round of trials.

Earlier this year Josh Cook and Iwan Mepham were selected to be on the Commonwealth 2018 long list, earning them a series of trials to try to make the final team that will travel to the event in Australia.

After completing recent trials in London and Cardiff, their spectacular skills and routines have already earned them a number of the required qualification scores, with the pair now looking to push on at future events to shore up their positions in the squad.

YMCA Barry also had three other gymnasts competing in this year’s London Open Championships – one of the biggest competitions in Britain.

In the youngest category, Charlie Watkins competed in his first British competition, where he demonstrated great maturity and performed strongly throughout. Charlie particularly shone on the vault, where he placed third against extremely strong competition.

Sammi Morgan came 11th overall in his age category, as well as earning a fourth place finish on the Pommel Horse.

YMCA Barry's final competitor at the London Open was Harri Morgan, who had dramatically increased the difficulty of his routines for the competition and gained valuable experience at the event.

At the 2017 Welsh Elite Grades, Jacob Watkins and Charlie Watkins competed and truly excelled themselves.

In the Elite Grade One category, Charlie placed third on pommel, second on parallel bars, third on physical preparation, first on vault and took the bronze medal overall. Thanks to his high level of performance, Charlie has been selected to represent Wales in the British Elite Grades Finals later this month.

Jacob Watkins exceptional performance in the eight-year-olds category saw him claim first on vault, physical preparation and pommel horse. He also finished second on rings and floor and third on parallel bars. He was also crowned the overall 8-year-olds Welsh Champion for his efforts.

Due to these impressive results, both Charlie and Jacob have been selected for the Welsh Elite Gymnastics Squad.

YMCA Barry provides gymnastics and cheerleading for girls and boys from toddlers to elite international gymnasts and is the most successful club in the Vale of Glamorgan. All classes are run by extremely qualified and experienced coaches and the club has been recognised as a centre of excellence for men’s artistic gymnastics. If you would like more information on any of the classes, please contact 01446 724000 or email Sophie@ymcabarry.org.uk.