A young Cumbrian gymnast has been crowned a British vault champion.
Isla Sawyers, 15, of Carlisle, was crowned champion in the national development plan performance grade three category at the British Gymnastics Women’s Artistic National Finals.
The youngster, who trains with North Lakes Gymnastics Academy, in Penrith, competed on Sunday, in Stoke-on-Trent, where she impressed the judges with her performance.
It’s an achievement that mark’s Isla’s third appearance at a national final event where she once again represented the North of England competing against a cohort of top gymnasts from across Great Britain.
Last year, the teenager earned a British silver medal in the same vault event.
Isla started her gymnastics journey at the academy in its intermediate squad at just nine years old in 2018.
Her coaches said she soon started to show promise through her hard work and determination and quickly moved up into the academy’s advanced squad.
Isla is currently working with the team of coaches at North Lakes Gymnastics Academy to upgrade her skills and routines ready for the regional classic challenge qualifiers later in the year.
Isla’s mum, Rebecca Sawyers, said after the competition: “We are so grateful to everyone involved at North Lakes who have given so much time to help Isla, she’s shown everyone that if you put a child in the right environment with kind and positive coaches/adults then you can achieve.
“As a team we’ve all contributed to that and now we have a 15-year-old, absolutely loving her sport and still improving.”
Matthew Wilkinson, coach and national judge at the academy, said the team were incredibly proud of Isla’s achievement.
He added: “Her commitment, determination, and love for the sport have been imperative in this fantastic achievement.
“This national title is a true testament to Isla’s hard work and the unwavering support of our coaching team.”
The academy said Isla’s accomplishment is an inspiration for all aspiring gymnasts across Cumbria and a testament to her excellence while also reflecting the strength of coaching at the academy.
