WHAT A GEM! WELSH ACE STARS FOR GB
WALES’S best rhythmic gymnasts enjoyed success in Estonia at the Miss Valentine Tartu Grand Prix as they continue to build towards this summer’s Commonwealth Games.
Reigning Welsh senior champion Gemma Frizelle was competing in the Tartu Grand Prix, representing Great Britain.
The 23-year-old, who is attached to Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, successfully qualified for her first Grand Prix apparatus final, as she made the top eight in the hoop event.
The hoop final was ultimately won along with an all-around triumph by Olympic bronze medallist Alina Harnasko.
Frizelle was also crowned Miss
Valentine at the end of the competition, an award chosen by the head judge for a standout performance.
Carmarthen-born Frizelle is a three-time former Rhythmic British Championships medallist and is targeting a second Commonwealth Games having also been part of Team Wales in Australia four years ago.
She has also represented Great Britain at both the World and European Championships.
Four other Welsh rhythmic Birmingham hopefuls from Llanelli RGA were also in action and representing Wales in the international Miss Valentine tournament, which took place at the same University of Tartu Sports Hall venue.
They competed within their age groups, with Elizabeth Popova and Emily Cullen going in the birth year 2006 first year seniors competition, with Skyla Sims and Lauryn Carpenter in the birth year 2005 and older category.
Double Welsh junior champion Popova won bronze in the hoop and clubs events, while Sims – who was Welsh senior champion in 2019 – also made the podium, taking bronze in the hoop. Carpenter was fourth in the ball final.
Welsh rhythmic national coach Nia Evans said: “It’s still early in the season but it was a good starting point.
“We are bringing home medals and the prestigious award of Miss Valentine. It is definitely heading in the right direction.”