Francesca Jones sealed her fifth British title at the weekend at the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics British Championships.
The 20-year-old scored 93.425 at Fenton Manor to take the senior all-around following a close battle with Kezi Gore who scored 91.100. Third place went to Mimi Cesar who managed 80.850.
Yesterday’s apparatus finals saw two of the titles go to Francesca (hoop and ball) and two to Kezi (clubs and ribbon).
Frankie, the Commonwealth Games hoop silver medallist in 2010, now looks ahead to the World Championships in September. A recent announcement by LOCOG confirmed that Great Britain will be able to utilise a Host Nation Qualification Place to compete in the rhythmic gymnastics individual competition at London 2012 - which adds to the young athletes determination to do well on the world stage.
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The victory provides a welcome boost to Frankie’s progress over the year and she spoke of the experience gained through the competition: “Winning the British title is a great honour,” she explained.
“The main thing I take out of it is more experience of competing over three days which is key; the World Championships will be over several days so it’s really important to feel comfortable in doing that.
“I’m happy with my consistency over the weekend, especially in the all-around over the first two days. It’s good to have got some more vital competition experience and I’m continuing to improve over the year which is a good sign, clearly there’s still things to work on ahead of the World Championship but overall I’m heading in the right direction.”
Elsewhere, Laura Halford was crowned junior champion with 80.00, while team-mate Stephani Sherlock secured second place with 78.400 and with Helena Bailey in third with 74.125.
Laura added to this three gold medals in the apparatus finals (ball, clubs and ribbon), with Stephani winning the gold for ribbon.
Leah Munday and Megan Balabay took the under-11 and under-12 titles respectively. The team-mates also swept all available gold medals in the apparatus finals: Leah Munday with rope, hoop and ball and Jade Wright with the free exercise, while Megan remained unbeaten on all the four pieces of apparatus in the under-12 section.
Jessica Whittington, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
