LLANELLI TRIO CHASING GOLD
THREE members of the Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy are heading to the Commonwealth Games.
Gemma Frizelle, Elizabeth Popova and Lauryn Carpenter are among a Welsh team of 13 gymnasts who have been selected to compete in Birmingham later this summer.
The trio of Llanelli club members make up the entire rhythmic section of the squad.
The five selected men’s artistic gymnasts are Brinn Bevan, Joe Cemlyn-Jones, Josh Cook, Emil Barber and Jacob Edwards.
Meanwhile, a five-strong women’s artistic selection consists of Mia Evans, Jea Maracha, Sofia Micallef, Mali Morgan and Poppy Stickler.
Welsh Gymnastics performance director Jo Coombs said: “This team announcement is the culmination of an enormous amount of hard work, dedication and commitment in a cycle that has been heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Preparation for these Games has been like no other and has taken all the coaches, gymnasts and support staff innovation and commitment to enable us all to continue training, competing and mentally being ready for what lies ahead.
“We couldn’t be prouder of all who have been chosen to compete at the Games.”
Frizelle and Cook return for a second Games having also been part of Team Wales at Gold Coast 2018.
Three-time former British Rhythmic all-around medallist and reigning Welsh senior all-around champion Frizelle was born in Carmarthen.
The 24-year-old started at the Llanelli academy at the age of 12.
She competed for Great Britain at the World Championships in 2018 and the European Championships in 2021.
She was British all-around silver medallist in 2016 and 2017 and allaround bronze medallist in 2019.
Frizelle is joined by her fellow British senior squad team-mate and former double Welsh junior all-around champion Popova.
The 15-year-old, who was also born in Carmarthen, made her senior Great Britain debut at the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup series event in Bulgaria.
She has been with the Llanelli club since the age of four and is coached by her mother Ioana.
Carpenter, who hails from Newport, is an exciting prospect who won silver in the all-around and across all four apparatus at the Welsh Rhythmic Championships earlier this month.
Jon Morgan, vice-chair of Commonwealth Games Wales, said: “It’s great to see the strength and depth Welsh Gymnastics have produced during this Commonwealth Games cycle.
“It’s exciting to see both familiar faces who have represented Team Wales previously, and new athletes who will get to experience their first taste of the Commonwealth Games.
“It’s encouraging to see all the talent coming through. I wish them all the best in Birmingham, what will be a Games to remember.”
The artistic competition takes place at Arena Birmingham between July 29 and August 2 before rhythmic gymnastics takes centre stage there from August 4-6.
Coombs added: “For gymnastics, this is a huge opportunity to showcase Welsh talent.
“It is the only opportunity in gymnastics for gymnasts to represent Wales at a major event, allowing us to be in a very privileged position of promoting gymnastics in Wales for Wales.
“The gymnasts are so passionate and proud to represent their country and be part of supporting the growth of the sport into the future.”