JESS Adamson had a golden time at her first international gymnastics competition.

The 19-year-old – a member of Warrington Gymnastics Club since the age of three – showed composure and maturity throughout while competing for England in Cardiff.

She produced a beam routine that contributed to the team being crowned Northern European champions while also qualifying her for the individual finals.

 

Jess Adamson and her England teammates on the podium

Jess Adamson and her England teammates on the podium

 

Another solid display in the final saw her elevated from eighth to fourth as she narrowly missed out on a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, another Warrington gymnast picked up a silver medal after a finely-balanced performance at the Acrobatic IDP British Finals.

Charlotte Kerboas, who studies at Priestley College, finished second in the Women’s Group competition with her teammates Hannah Guerin and Emma Green.

They were representing the north west and were only beaten by the North’s number one team.

“We weren’t disappointed about finishing second because the other team could definitely have been performing at a higher level of competition,” said Charlotte.

The trio have only been practising together since August, but despite that came through with an impressive two-minute routine at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex.

They had to produce a series of three tariffed moves linked by some dynamic choreography.

Charlotte faced her toughest moment of the performance during the first balance section.

“I was about to fall over and had to fight to keep hold of it,” she said. “I got cramp in my toes, but I told myself ‘I am not falling today’.”

 

Charlotte Kerboas with her silver medal

Charlotte Kerboas with her silver medal

 

Charlotte started gymnastics when she was seven after giving it a go with a friend and discovering she had a talent for it.

Her next step, however, is to qualify for the British finals again next year.

“We’ve got the prelims in March and maybe it will be a gold medal next time,” she said.

Head of Sport Priestley Nigel Howells, who also teaches Charlotte, said everyone in the cohort was proud of her achievement.

“It’s always a great moment when one of our own is successful on the national stage,” he said.

“We wish Charlotte well for her future in the sport and with her belief I am certain the team can win gold next year.”