Two finals for the Tumbling team at the World Age Group Championships
26th November 2022, 19:00p.m. | International
26.11.22 Sofia, Bulgaria: Irish Tumbling team finished competing at the 29th World Age Group Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria on Saturday with gymnasts Hugo Kinahan and Cliona Mc Laughlin making finals in the 17-21 category both ranking 7th place, first Irish Tumbling finalists at this event since 2011.
Commenting about the experience, Cliona McLaughlin, 17-21 World Finalist said: “I’m delighted with my runs in competition, it feels incredible to call myself a World Finalist. After all the hours spent training as well as the ups and downs to get to this competition, I’m very happy with how it went”
Hugo Kinahan, 17-21 World Finalist added: “I’m very happy with my performances this week. I started the year competing at my first Europeans and have ended it as a World Finalist. Now it’s time to go home, rest and then start the hard work towards Senior World Championships and World Games qualifications …. I’m so motivated for the challenge”
Commenting on the news Elaine Nash, Gymnastics Ireland National Tumbling Coach said: “Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn and this week has been a major win for Irish tumbling as well as a huge learning opportunity. Overall great performances from our tumbling team. I’m extremely proud of all of our athletes and how they handled the challenges and adversities in the lead up to this week and the pressure of the World Stage”
Simon Flannery, Gymnastics Ireland Head of Trampoline & Tumbling added: “This week saw a return to the world stage after 8 years for our Irish Tumblers. Our gymnasts have worked incredibly hard for this opportunity and did not waste it making Ireland’s first world finals since 2011. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Irish tumbling as we build towards our first Senior World Championships in 2023 which will also be the 2025 World Games qualifier. I’d like to congratulate all the gymnasts on their performances this week and our National Coach, Elaine Nash, for all her hard work”
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