SPELBOUND THROUGH TO THE BGT FINALS

Spelbound cast their magic over the judges and viewers at home to win the first live semi-final.

The gymnasts from Middlesex created a Cirque-esque performance with a demonstration of skills from trios, pairs and the world-medalist mens four.

Remember to vote for them on Saturday and make sure acrobatic gymnastics gets the coverage it needs.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO OF THE LIVE SEMI FINAL

Spelbound Put Acro In The Limelight

Spelbound, otherwise known as Spelthorne Elite Acrobatics put the sport in the limelight and wowed the judges and audience on epiosde two of this year's Britains Got Talent.

Simon Cowell said: "It was like watching a master race" and added: "I have never seen anything like that in my life.I thought that, once again, we were going to get some really boring gymnastics display but that was very clever - really, really smart."

It is an amazing advert for acrobatics gymnastics as a sport and the european and world medalists in the group illustrate the stregnth of GBR. Make sure you vote for them...

Watch them here...

Selection Policy for World Championships 2010

British Gymnastics have made the Selection Policy for the World Championships 2010, Poland availible for download on their website.

Click HERE to view and download them.

Watch this space for more information on the 22nd World Championships in Wroclaw (POL)

13th – 19th July 2010

British Championships 2010: Report

This year’s Acrobatic Gymnastics British Championships saw over 250 gymnasts from 28 clubs across the country compete at Fenton Manor for the title of British Champion. The high standard of gymnastics on display in recent years, made the 15 titles even harder to gain in 2010.

For the first time ever, the competition didn’t include tumbling in the programme, and the new layout created a more intimate feel to the arena. However, many people missed the excitement of two disciplines in the arena, and will be looking forward to going to the Birmingham Indoor Arena in July to see the tumbling British Championships.

Following the European Championships in Portugal and ahead of this year’s World Championships in the summer lots of new routines were on display, from partnerships old and new. Spelthorne Gymnastics, from the South East, alone had over 27 new routines and four new partnerships on the floor. With so much change, it was always set to be an exciting weekend.

Since the introduction of the Age Group Events, this was the largest entry to date to take place in the British Championships. This competition alone had over 100 competitors, some of which stood out from the crowd, highlighting the talent coming through for the future.

The Womens Pair title was won by Spelthorne’s Georgia Lancaster and Megan Garraghan, despite them being in third place after the tempo routines, proving how close the two-day competition can be. Oxford trio of Groves, Brookes and Clempson fought off competition from 22 other 11-16 Womens Groups to take this year’s gold medal, closely followed by South Tyneside in silver and King Edmund in bronze, which demonstrates the spread of medals across the country, a sight which is becoming more common on the podiums every year.

Connor Bartlett and Millie Spalding, Age Group mixed pair from Harefield in the London region shone in their category, winning both routines and taking the gold overall by nearly two whole marks. As for the boys, the ever-growing popularity of mens groups in Great Britain meant the judges and audience were treated to a fantastic display of acrobatics from the young partnerships. The four from Spelthorne, Sewell, Cowler, Wood and Tognelli, coached by senior mens four base Adam McAssey, won the gold medal after two immaculate routines, polished and finished off with stunning leotards. These four are definitely ones to watch for the future. Their team mates (and one brother!), Sewell and Watts, had to settle for silver in the Age Group Mens Pairs, as Child and Underdown from King Edmund beat them in the final routine by 0.05, after being joint first after dynamic. One of the closest podiums from the entire weekend.

The junior (12-19) competition was smaller than in recent years, with partnerships either moving up to the senior competition or having to train out-of-age until they can move on. European medallists, Jasmine Danby and Chelsea Fisher from Deerness gave the audience a special treat with their energetic combined routine, winning them the National title and gold medal, with the new partnership of Baker and Bigmore from Spelthorne taking silver and the Wakefield pair in third. The second title up for grabs was for the highly-fought after Junior Womens Groups. After fantastic performances from a large proportion of the gymnasts, many of whom are now very experienced, was won by new partnership, Kristie Harrington, Louise Lee and Madeleine Gamblin from South Tyneside. The silver and bronze medals were taken by Spelthorne trios, jointly scoring 28.600, and split by their execution score alone. The Junior Mixed Pair title is now in the hands of Kim Hunter and her new partner, Christopher Cranfield from Spelthorne. A sign of another successful partnership for Kim who won gold with her previous mixed pair partner at the World Championships in 2008. The silver was taken by Wakefield and bronze by Hale and Davies from Oxford in the South. There were no Junior Mens Groups in this year’s competition, the final title of the day was given to Alex Houston and Timothy Pritchard from Deerness Valley, who beat the Spelthorne Men’s Pair, Rodgers and Wood, who had to settle for Silver.

The Senior British Championships have become a display of world class acrobatics over recent years, and this competition was no exception. The senior gymnasts competing at this year’s British have over 50 years experience between them and for many of these partnerships this was to be their last British, adding to the anticipation.

Senior Women’s Group, Blacklock, Thompson and Birch from Harefield Gymnastics Academy proved to be the strongest trio on the day, winning all three routines, taking the gold medal and the coveted national title for the first time. Only one Women’s Pair, newly formed partnership of Ashton Butler and Dannie Hailstone, from South Tyneside competed after the retirement of Thorne and Grehan, and with other partnerships ‘guesting’ until next year. Mixed Pair, Nicolas Illingworth and Katie Axten and Men’s Pair, Doug Fordyce and Edward Upcott, both from Spelthorne, demonstrated their experience and entertained the audience to take the titles in their respective disciplines. Three Senior Mens Groups battled it out for the British crown, with jaw-dropping skills across the board, the final result saw the seasoned four from Spelthorne, Adam McAssey, Adam Buckingham, Alex Uttley and Jonathan Stranks take the title, with the ever-improving groups from Wakefield and Deerness Valley, hot on their heels.

The veteran audience filled Fenton Manor all weekend, with VIP guests adding to the atmosphere. For the well respected Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Director and National Coach, Matei Todorov, this was his final British Championships, and after 22 years in charge of Acrobatics in Great Britain, he has seen his fair share of stunning performances and this competition was no exception.

“My job is getting harder and harder every competition because of the very high standard across the board.” He added. “Selection for the World Championships is going to be really hard.”

“It’s been a wonderful 22-year adventure. A journey that’s been sometimes challenging, different but never ever dull, I am able to take so many great memories away.”

Adding to the memories of the last year, presentations were made to a selection of Great Britain squad gymnasts for their success internationally over the last twelve months. Those that brought medals back from World Games and European Championships, from clubs up and down the country were applauded and congratulated on their successes.

Overall, a fantastic weekend and a real show of the depth of talent in all disciplines, and the perfect end to a successful era of acrobatic gymnastics in Great Britain.