Hometown Games set the Tone for gymnast’s rise up ranks

TWELVE months on from the realisation of his Commonwealth Games dream, gymnast Michael Tone is hoping to use his Gold Coast experiences as a springboard to next year’s Tokyo Olympics. The 22-year-old from Gold Coast Gymnastics Club was far from overawed in his Games debut last April, proving he could match it with the world’s best with top-10 finishes in the horizontal bar (fifth), pommel horse (seventh) and all-round (eighth).

He continued his rise at the Ukrainian International Cup last week, with a fifth-placed finish on the rings underlining his growing versatility.

Now preparing for the state championships from April 11-14 before nationals next month, Tone said the lessons learned from his hometown Games were propelling him

(The Commonwealth Games) was definitely the best experience of my life so far.

towards a maiden Olympic appearance next year.

“(The Commonwealth Games) was definitely the best experience of my life so far,” Tone, who also juggles finance studies with part-time coaching, said.

“I have definitely seen a step up in what I have been doing (since then) and hopefully that will continue. Hopefully I will qualify for the Olympics next year so it was a good preparation for that.

“I think it will serve as a good lead in for that as well as the next Commonwealth Games.”

More immediately, Tone’s focus is on asserting his domestic dominance in the wake of his Ukraine performances.

“I had a few ups and a few downs (in Ukraine),” the pommel horse specialist said.

“Rings is also one of my strongest events.

“I didn’t have the best pommel over there so it was nice to make the rings final. I was the national champion last year so I’d like to regain the title this year and then qualifying for the Olympics is the main (goal).

“Hopefully I will qualify for the World University Games in July. Qualification for that will take place at nationals.”