TUMBLER KYLIE GIVEN A LEG UP (From Warrington Guardian)

TUMBLER KYLIE GIVEN A LEG UP

YOUNG gymnast Kylie McGonagle has been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Tumbling Championships despite injury forcing her to pull out of qualifying.

Kylie, aged 12, was due to compete in the British Championships at the weekend to earn a place in the squad when a warm-up injury seemed to have crushed her hopes.

But selectors were already so impressed by what they had seen that they immediately promised her a place on the plane to Sun City in South Africa this October.

Mother Joanne said the Penketh High pupil, who trains at the national sports coaching centre at Lilleshall, was delighted at being called up for the championships.

She added: "Just as she was about to do her run, she landed funny and tore all the ligaments in her foot.

"She was gutted as she was stretchered off but after she came out of hospital she went straight back and watched the rest of her team compete.

"Later she was told that she was certain to have been the British Champion, even though she would have been competing against 18-year-olds.

"Her coaches say she is an up and coming star and, providing she doesn't get injured again, she has a good chance of winning in October."

The family are now looking for financial backing to pay for her world title bid and anyone who can help raise the £500 deposit by May 12 can contact Joanne on 482628.

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