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30th July 2009
GYMNASTICS: Wilmington gymnast lands World bronzeBy Howard Larcombe WILMINGTON gymnast Douglas Fordyce has won a surprise Bronze medal in the World games in Taipai.
Wilmington gymnast Douglas Fordyce (19) and partner Edward Upcott (17) triumphed at the World Games in Taipei last Tuesday, winning an unexpected bronze medal for Great Britain.
The competition commenced with the dynamic routine, the pair wowing a huge audience with a mixture of exciting tumbles and somersaults.
They were placed 3rd with a score of 28.550 just behind the Russian pair who scored 28.560 and current world champions from Ukraine with 28.807.
Next came the balance routine which shows difficult static balances which must be held for a period of time.
The British pair’s routine shows their strength and flexibility as well as strong choreography.
This competition was extremely close and the boys finished 4th with 28.514 behind the Chinese on 28.590, the Ukranians with 28.871 and the Russian pair winning with 28.920.
The two scores added together saw the pair qualfying for the final in 3rd place behind the Russians and Ukranians.
As it was only the top four to qualify for the final the lads were clearly delighted with their achievement.
The final combined routine is a mixture of static balance and dynamic elements and the British pair were third in the running order.
Their performance was strong, exciting and their timing was near perfect giving them a score of 28.562, just behind the Russian pair on 28.654 and the Ukranians on 28.924.
The pair were clearly delighted by their achievement. Douglas said “we are absolutely delighted with our performance and winning the bronze medal.
“We are now really looking forward to the European Championships in October.”
Douglas’ parents Richard and Margaret watched the events unfold on Chinese televison via the internet.
They said “it was very nerve wracking but really exciting and we are so very proud of what they have achieved in so short a time.”
The pair are now having a well deserved week off and then they will be back in training for the European Championships in October.
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