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1 April - GREAT BRITAIN V ITALY JUNIOR WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL
MARTINA DANIONI PIPS LAURA JONES BY JUST 0.20 FOR GOLD AS BECKY WING IS 3RD IN JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL
An exciting competition was in prospect as some top British Olympic hopefuls were given the opportunity to test their progress against close rivals Italy who won the bronze medal at the 2003 European Junior Championships closely followed by GB in 4th place. Three years later with many of the Junior Teams moving to Seniors and top GB Junior Becky Downie at the Commonwealth Games we were given a preview of who could claim places in the 2006 British Junior European Team for Volos, Greece, at the end of April.
Adriqn Stan, GB Women’s Technical Director said “With a number of gymnasts still at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, this Friendly International will act as a benchmark with regard to the important events ahead. By checking and analysing how these youngsters are progressing and how they compete against strong rivals, we shall have a better idea of our potential for the future”.
The GB Team in Rushmoor consisted of three 13 year-old -gymnasts Laura Jones and Jordan Lipton from Notts Gym Club and Rebecca Wing from Heathrow G.C, and three 14-year-olds Abigail Kirby and Jodie Standish from Liverpool and Zoe Allen from Wigan.
The audience were full of anticipation as half the Team have already won British Espoir titles on various apparatus, Rebecca Wing in 2004 on Beam, Laura Jones in 2005 double GB Espoire Champion on Beam and Floor, and Abigail Kirby in 2005 on A. Bars.
Italy brought a strong Junior Team Erika Erbacci, Giulia Peirone, Riva Gloria, Valentina Muolo, Martina Danioni and Anna Reschiglian.
The Team Competition was closely fought with Great Britain edging the Floor event by 39.65 to Italy’s 39.35 with the highlights beautiful stylish but dramatic new Floor Routines from Nott’s Laura Jones and Heathrow’s Becky Wing which gave GB victory on Floor. Strong performances too on Vault where GB triumphed by 41.45 to 40.00, but some fine performances on Bars and Beam gave Italy the team victory by 159.05 to 157.00 with no major errors. Fans will get an opportunity to see the new routines from Becky and Laura at next weekend’s British Team Championships which should be a fascinating battle between Britain’s top Artistic Clubs.
In the Individual Finals on Sunday, Becky and Laura again produced excellent performances with Becky scoring 13.70 on Floor and Italy’s Martina Danioni on 13.40. Becky also achieved the highest score of the Competition with a fantastic 14.25 on Vault, and Martina again in second place with GB’s Zoe Allan placed with both gymnast’s scoring 13.65, while Abi Kirby was 4th with her 13.55. Laura Jones also produced had a great performance with her top score on Beam of 13.65 with Italy’s scoring winning the Beam and Italy’s Guila Peirone just 0.05 behind in second. Laura also put in a strong routine on Bars to score 13.30, and a closely fought contest saw Italy’s Martina Danioni win the Individual Competition with a total of 53.40, just 0.20 ahead of Laura Jones earning Silver, with team mate Becky Wing collecting bronze.
A very promising sign of things to come at Junior European’s particularly with the GB Team being strengthened even more when Becky Downie and Hannah Clowes with both girl’s benefiting enormously from their Commonwealth success, will also able to compete in a very strong GB Team, who must have high hopes of improving on their 4th place at the 2003 European’s.
Full results appear below:-
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