YMCA Barry Gymnastics Club are ecstatic with the most recent results from their male artistic gymnastics squad.

On the 23rd February 2019, YMCA Barry gymnasts competed in the annual Welsh Gymnastics Championships where the highest level gymnasts in Wales came together to compete.

In the youngest category of the day, the Under 10’s, YMCA Barry had four gymnasts compete, Zhao-Kai Wilcox, Harley Clifton, Martins Kononovs and Jacob Watkins.

Even at their very young age, all four gymnasts did themselves proud and showing great maturity in their performances.

All of the boys competed on the six male gymnastics apparatus, Floor, Vault, Rings, Parallel Bars, High Bar and the Pommel Horse.

Within the individual apparatus events, the YMCA Barry gymnasts received top six placings on every apparatus with Martins who secured 3rd on Floor, 5th on Rings, 5th on Vault, 5th on Parallel Bars.

Zhao-Kai received 6th on Floor, 3rd on Pommel Horse, 6th on Rings and 6th on Parallel Bars.

Harley claimed 4th on Floor, 6th on Pommel Horse, 4th on Rings, 6th on Vault and 4th on Parallel Bars.

Jacob, received 2nd on High Bar, 2nd on Vault and fantastically became the Under 10’s Welsh Champion on the Floor, Rings, Parallel Bars and Pommel Horse.

In the all-around event which is all of the six apparatus combined, Martins claimed 9th, Zhao-Kai 5th, Harley 4th and Jacob became the Overall Under 10’s Welsh Champion!

Finally, within the team category, all four boys supported each other throughout the competition and became the Under 10’s Welsh Team Champions!

Within the Under 16s category, Rhys Griffiths competed, despite only being able to compete on three pieces of apparatus due to an injury. Rhys did not let this phase him, showing his determination and competed faultlessly.

Rhys received 6th place on Rings and became the Under 16’s High Bar Welsh Champion!

Within the Senior category at the Welsh Championships, Cameron Sinden, Alex Shanahan, Josh Cook and Harri Morgan competed at the highest level and demonstrated some amazing gymnastics. In the individual apparatus, the senior gymnasts followed their team mates and featured on every apparatus results.

Cameron received 3rd on Vault, 4th on Floor, 5th on Pommel Horse, 5th on Rings, 4th on Parallel Bars and 6th on High Bar. Alex claimed 5th place on Vault. Harri secured 5th on Floor, 6th on Rings, 6th on Parallel Bars and 3rd place on High Bar.

Josh Cook sustained his consistency and received 2nd on Vault, 2nd on Floor, 2nd on Pommel Horse, 2nd on Rings, 2nd on Parallel Bars and 2nd on High Bar.

In the All Around competition, Harri was 6th, Cameron 5th and Josh won the Silver medal, narrowly behind Olympian Brinn Bevan. In the Team event, Cameron, Alex, Josh and Harri became the Welsh Senior Team Champions and received the prestigious Welsh Gymnastics Men’s Artistic shield.

A fantastic achievement for YMCA Barry Gymnastics Club and a huge congratulations to all the gymnasts and their personal coaches Peter Haysham and Bradley Haysham. YMCA Barry Gymnastics cater for all levels of gymnastics from Gymbabies & Gymtots, Gymnastics for boys and girls from beginners to International Gymnasts, most recently having two gymnasts Josh Cook and Iwan Mepham represent Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Would your child want to try gymnastics? YMCA Barry caters for all abilities and has just received the insport Silver Award from Disability Sport Wales for the club’s commitment to inclusion and providing a safe and enjoyable environment for children to enjoy gymnastics.

For more information please call 01446 724000, email sophie@ymcabarry.org.uk or follow us on social media @ymcabarry