Jude takes gold, aims at Brit title

Lesmahagow gymnast Jude Hilson returned from the British Tumble Championships regional finals in Birmingham with a gold medal.

The 11-year-old took first place in the National Development Plan (NDP) Level 6 in under-13s – quite a feat given her age.

Following that success in Birmingham, Jude has qualified for the individual finals of the British Championships, which will take place in Telford on July 8, where a win would return her as British champion.

Mum Lauren has been delighted with Jude’s success, which will see her enrol at the prestigious School of Sport later this year.

She said:“last weekend Jude travelled with her coach Morven Alder and the rest of Team Scotland to Birmingham to compete, and won herself gold.

“As Jude is only 11 this is a fantastic achievement.

“It was quite a big thing at the weekend, and Team Scotland as well, but the British Championships would be the icing on the cake

“Jude has already had a very successful year in tumbling, which has seen her win four gold medals already.

“She was also nominated as female young sports personality of the year, and has also been selected as one of only three gymnasts in th country to attend the Glasgow School of Sport, starting in August.

“Jude just seems to take to it easily and has a lot of natural ability, but she also works really hard, doing about 24 hours a week just now.”