Two Tunbridge Wells schoolboys from the town’s Next Dimension Gymnastic Academy (NDGA) have struck gold at the European Championships in Acrobatic Gymnastics, held in Germany.
Sam Large, 14, who attends Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, and Hector Kinghorn, 11, of Skinners Kent Academy, took the top spot on the podium representing Great Britain in the Men’s Pairs in the 11-16 years age group in Riesa.
The reigning British champions, who have been competing together for two years, have already tasted success in Europe this year having won gold medals at both the MAIA cup in Portugal and the FIAC event in Belgium.
Their coach Chris Rogers, a European Champion himself and a former member of Spelbound, winners of Britain’s Got Talent in 2010, accompanied Sam and Hector in Germany having been appointed to the GB coaching team.
Louise Clark, Chief Operating Officer at Markerstudy Leisure, which owns and operates NDGA, said: “We are all incredibly proud of Sam and Hector and it is hugely motivating for pupils, staff, parents and everybody involved at the Academy,. The boys’ success shows what our young people can achieve through hard work, dedication and the commitment of their families. Congratulations.”
The European Championships took place over three days, with qualifying on Friday and Saturday (September 25 and 26) and the finals on Sunday.
Acrobatic gymnastics comprises of two elements, Balance and Tempo, with each routine lasting two minutes. Both are performed over the qualifying days, with the scores being combined.
The top performers then go through to the final day, when the final routine is performed again.
