Representing Great Britain, Sam Large, 18, and his partner Sammi Nassman, 14, won the Junior (13-19) level for Team GB in the Balance routine final in Holon, scoring an impressive 28.75.
The pair had already won gold when they represented Great Britain at the World Championships in Belgium in the 12-18 category.
This year they were selected at Junior (13-19) level, and the reigning British champions are aiming to be picked at Senior level in 2020.
In Israel they also won a bronze medal in the Dynamic routine final, when they scored 28.15 – the same total score as the Ukraine men’s pair, who were awarded the silver because they had a better execution mark, and only 0.2 behind the Azerbaijan men’s pair who took gold.
Sam and his ‘top’ Sammi also were awarded the highest score for their Combined routine. But the results for the all-round medal were comprised of the Combined score added to the Balance and Dynamic qualification round scores.
The boys had sustained a 1.0 penalty in the Dynamic qualification for a music technical fault, and had to settle for another bronze. But they had knocked the reigning world champions from Russia off the podium places.
TOP TRIO
(L-R) Olivia Hossenboccus, Fran Arnell and Amy Rowe with their bronze medals
Tigers Gymnastics Centre in Tonbridge also sent five club members to the showpiece event. Olivia Hossenboccus, 17, Amy Rowe, 14, and Fran Arnell, 12, were represented their country for the first time and achieved a bronze medal in the 12-18 Women’s Group.
Twelve-year-old Bea Henderson made her international debut in the 12-18 Mixed Pair category with club mate Hector Kinghorn, 15.
They finished sixth in qualifications, missing out on the final because only one pairing from each country could go through.
Hector formerly teamed up with Sam, winning a European title together in 2015 and a silver medal at the World Championships a year later.
Sam was formerly at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys and trains for 20 hours a week at Heathrow Gymnastics Club. Sammi was a pupil at Bennett Memorial School before moving to be closer to their training base.
Sam is taking a gap year after A levels and working 30 hours a week at Cycling Made Easy on St John’s Road while travelling to Heathrow five days a week.
He has set up a fundraising page to help him realise his gymmastic ambitions. For more information visit gofundme.com and search for Sam Large.
