GYMNASTICS - THE hard work of the coaches and gymnasts at Weston Aerobic Gymnastic Club more than paid off last weekend when they brought home a clutch of gold medals from the Welsh Open Championships.

THE hard work of the coaches and gymnasts at Weston Aerobic Gymnastic Club more than paid off last weekend when they brought home a clutch of gold medals from the Welsh Open Championships, held at the Welsh Institute of Sport, Cardiff.

The club won categories at every level and every age group entered.

The final day of the three-day competition was particularly thrilling as Blue Peter's Joel Defries was competing as part of a Blue Peter challenge, the attendant BBC cameras filming added an extra buzz to an already exciting weekend.

GB Pair Matt Saunders and Abi Butterfield were filmed competing for the programme, but the added pressure did not show when they flew their way to a gold medal, adding to Matt's male individual gold from the day before.

The 15-17 international level gymnasts also performed superbly with both the pair and trio bringing home gold medals. Kirsty Harvey and Charlotte White produced a good routine to win the gold, followed by GB trio Trina Rose, Livs Owen, Flora Lacy also winning gold, with a clean and precise routine.

First time out as a pair in the 10-11 category Ruby Youds and Amelia Barrett showed off their superb skills to win the silver medal.

In the national level section, Rhys Williams competed for the first time in the male individual to get the gold.

Age 10-11 trio Emily Antoine, Amelia Barrett and Jaime Ward added to their collection of gold, as did age 12-14 female individual Nicole Smith and 15-17 pair Louisa Capel and Georgia White.

In the 12-14 trios, Jade Hunt, Katherine Forster and Olivia Barrett, competing for the first time in the trios section, showed off their team skill to win the club another gold medal.

Also deserving a mention were two gymnasts who just missed out on the medals but came a close fourth were nine-year-old Lily Jeffery and 12-year-old Dani Lintern, both gymnasts excelled themselves in large categories and should find themselves on the podium soon.

Weston were thrilled to realise they tied with a big gymnastic club for the most number of gold medals won over the three days.

British gymnasts Matt, Abi, Trina, Livs and Flora now train with the rest of the GB squad in preparation for the American National Championships in July.