Honiton Gymnastics

More success for Honiton’s higher level gymnasts

Olivia and Callum’s gold takes them through to national finals

Callum Abbott and Olivia Wotton - handstand on handsHoniton gymnasts had further success at the weekend with five medals in the higher-level National Development Plan prelims (Grades 3-6), including golds for Grade 5 Mixed Pair Olivia Wotton and Callum Abbott and for Open Age Girls’ Trio Scarlet Livingstone, Emily Bristol and Valentine Tutcher.

The South West Prelims took place at Wellsprings Leisure Centre in Taunton.

Callum and Olivia’s victory secured them a spot at the national finals in Stoke-on-Trent in May alongside the five other Grade 1 and Grade 2 Honiton partnerships that qualified the previous week.

Squad Acro coach Pam Burn, who coaches Callum and Olivia alongside Melissa Ilsley, said: “We’re extremely proud of Callum and Olivia. The move up to Grade 5 involves a significant increase in difficulty of moves, so they have both had to improve greatly as gymnasts.

“Callum and Olivia now have a couple of months to perfect their performance and work hard on their recently-learned moves so that they can also make their mark on the national stage in May.”

Honiton’s six qualifying partnerships will compete at the NDP finals at Fenton Manor Leisure Centre, Stoke on Trent from 14-15 May.

Girls trio Valentine Tutcher, Emily Bristol and Scarlet Livingstone scored Honiton Gymnastics Club’s highest score of the weekend – 26.65 – but the ‘open age’ category they competed in unfortunately doesn’t have a national final.

In all, 40 Honiton gymnasts competed in Taunton, with the following additional medals:

  • Bronze for Grade 3 Girls’ Pair Chloe-Mae Outram & Macie Bennett
  • Bronze for Grade 4 Boys’ Pair Henry Neil and Reece Cutler
  • Bronze for Grade 4 Girls’ Pair Emily Lee and Katie Holmes

Pam added: “It was a very good competition for the club with many excellent performances and a number narrowly missing out on medals. We’re proud of all Honiton gymnasts that competed.”

In addition to preparing gymnasts for national finals, Honiton Gymnastics Club is now preparing a number of its gymnasts for the NDGA competition in Kent in April, which includes national and international categories.