At the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham yesterday, Katherine Driscoll and Luke Strong won their respective British national champion titles.

.Katherine Driscoll won the Senior Ladies British Championship title with a score of 54.76.  Luke Strong won the Senior Mens British Championships with a score of 56.585.   Zara McLean and Kristoff Willerton took the tumbling honours with Robyn Osbourne and Peter Cracknell being crowned the senior British DMT champions.

Kat Driscoll said on winning the title “I’m over the moon, I was hoping to do well having had some really encouraging results in the World Cups in Asia recently, but to come and take the title is just great.  It’s really close between a lot of the girls in the British squad and the competition makes us all stronger, at international events only 2 per country can make finals, so it is a great position to find ourselves in where we are all pushing each other to perform.  That’s why for me to come out on top at these Nationals is a real achievement!  It’s now a case of keeping fit and happy looking ahead to the Worlds in November – I cannot wait to be back here, the arena is amazing, the crowd are great and to take that up a level to a World Championships is no doubt going to be the best atmosphere we’ve ever competed in and will definitely help all the British gymnasts raise their level even more.”

Meanwhile Luke Strong admitted he was shocked to win the title, “It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I’m British Champion” he said, ” I feel great, I’m a bit shocked to be honest to finish in 1st place, but overall just really happy!  It gives me a great boost ahead of the World Championships back here at the NIA which we have trials for over the next few weeks.”

The World Trampoline Championships will be held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham in November and are a key qualifying event for the Olympic Team.   Both Luke and Kat will take great encouragement for their results yesterday which put them in a good position to make the GBR team to represent Britian in the 2012 Olympics in London.

To see some video footage of the British Trampoline Championships 2011 take a look at British Gymnastics tv channel here.

Author: Bob Bounce