Halford is the best of British for fourth time
WELSH gymnast Laura Halford is celebrating after becoming senior British rhythmic champion for the fourth time.
A total of 30 Welsh competitors were among the winners at the British Championship Series in Liverpool, in a weekend which saw gymnasts in aerobic, acrobatic and rhythmic disciplines challenging to become the best in the UK.
The 21-year-old scored 60.600, with an outstanding performance across four apparatus; the hoop, ribbon, ball and clubs.
Between them, Halford and fellow Llanelli rhythmic gymnast Gemma Frizelle, aged 19, scooped five gold, two silver and one bronze medal in senior competition at the 2017 British Gymnastics Championship Series, rounding off an impressive weekend for Welsh gymnasts on Merseyside.
With Frizelle winning silver in the senior all-around, the Commonwealth Games selection event has boosted both women’s chances of representing Wales in Australia for Gold Coast 2018 after powerful performances at the Welsh Rhythmic Championships earlier in July.
After regaining her title in Liverpool, Halford said: “I feel amazing, it’s been a really tough year, I’ve had lots of competitions and lots of training so just to know it’s all paid off is really good.
“I started on hoop and I did a really good routine, got my highest score this year, 16.3, so I was really happy with that.”
Looking ahead to representing Great Britain at the World Championships in Italy at the end of the month, Halford added: “Hopefully I can keep fixing up all the little mistakes so I can be even better then.”
Frizelle, also from the same club, took gold in ball, silver in all-around and bronze in ribbon.