Hedges lands British title

Alex Hedges helped Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics Club to victory in the British Team Championships at the weekend and with it became the first gymnast from the Island to win a British title.

It's come just a week after he won the individual all-round title at the annual Cambridge against Oxford Varsity match.

Alex was responsible for competing on the floor and the vault, where Huntingdon began their competition.

A strong performance in the first event was followed by equipment problems in the second, which cost Huntingdon valuable points and they were well back from the leaders City of Leeds and the hugely impressive South Essex.

But after some brilliant performances on the high bar, pommel and the rings Huntingdon had pulled themselves right back into contention.

With nobody sure of the winner until the announcement came, the jubilant Huntingdon side had won by the closest margin in history ahead of a devastated South Essex, 255.05 to 253.35.

The honour then went to Alex to hoist the magnificent Adams Shield up in front of the crowd filling the Pipers Vale Gymnastics Centre in Ipswich.

After the event Alex said “We made it difficult for ourselves after parallel bars but it didn’t affect how we performed for the rest of the event. I was pleased with my routines, especially my vault. On floor (coach) Paul Hall told me to put in my newer, more risky dismount and I managed it with a bit of a stumble. I’m really proud to have been part of this team and it makes the incredibly tough selection process more than worthwhile. The last month has been quite an experience.”