Gymnasts bag up with medals at Special Olympics (From Crewe Guardian)

Gymnasts bag up with medals at Special Olympics

3:36pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Sport

ELEVEN Cheshire Academy members returned triumphant from the Northern Region Special Olympics Gymnastics competition in Middlesborough.

The gymnasts, pictured right, returned from the event, which is an important qualifier for the 2013 National Special Olympic Games, with a sackful of medals won at all levels and age groups.

Under 16s gymnast Sophie Hughes won four golds and a silver, including a gold in the all-round competition, as did Elizabeth Cooper, who returned to Crewe with five gold medals.

It was a three-way Cheshire Academy competition in the female level two event, with Felicity Martin, Tracey Jones, and Kirsty Robertson fighting it out for the all-round gold, which was eventually won by Felicity Martin.

The male gymnasts did equally well, with Daniel Hughes, Joseph Dutton and Bradley Jones scooping respective gold, silver and bronze medals in the under 12 age group.

In the over 30 age group veteran gymnast Neil Jones collected 4 gold medals, while at the more advanced level two, under 16s athlete Billy Tew won an impressive seven golds, with his vault score of 95. being the highest score of the whole competition.

In the advanced Level three competition, World Special Olympic champion Omar Haddad performed his routines with a strength and dynamism that earned him seven gold medals.

For more information about disability sports at the Cheshire Academy or about Cheshire East Special Olympics call Iain on (01270) 255355.