Juniors join world-class Seniors in 2011 National Squad

Men’s Artistic National Squad Selections 2011 – The majority of Britain’s Junior European Team Champion gymnasts, now make the move up to the Senior Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Squad announced for 2011.  The selection sees gymnasts such as Junior European All Around Champion Sam Oldham (Huntingdon), Junior European Pommel and Floor Champion Max Whitlock (South Essex) and triple Commonwealth Silver medallist Reiss Beckford (South Essex) unite with World Pommel Silver medallist Louis Smith (Huntingdon), World Floor Bronze medallist Daniel Purvis (Southport), Commonwealth Games All-around Champion Luke Folwell (Huntingdon) and 2009 World All Around Silver medallist Daniel Keatings (Huntington) together in the British Senior Squad. The depth of talent in the British Men’s programme is clear to see as Kristian Thomas (Earls), Sam Hunter (Unattached), Ruslan Panteleymonov(Hinckley), Yevgen Gryshchenko (Hinckley) and Theo Seager (Bury), all of whom have competed on the World stage for Britain, along with new Seniors Cameron Mackenzie, who was part of the Junior European Champion Team in 2010, and Ashley Watson who has recently returned from injury, make up the remainder of the Squad. Olympic Performance Director Tim Jones said: “We now feel the time is right to promote some of our outstanding Juniors into the Senior ranks, but also start providing a comprehensive package of support to some of the young gymnasts who will form the backbone of our 2016 Olympic Team in Rio. This list of selections shows a remarkable depth of talent and is testimony to the progress that has been made in the Men’s Artistic Programme in recent years.” Men’s Technical Director Eddie Van Hoof said: “What an exciting time to be involved in the Men’s Artistic programme. The commitment and depth of talent in the Squad, shown by the gymnasts and coaches at all levels, is a tribute to the level of high performance that has come to be expected. Gymnasts are now fighting for the right to gain international selection. This has extended down through the ranks to the new TOP Juniors (2016), who have the tough task of following the success of previous teams. I am positive that they will meet the challenge ‘head on’ and succeed.” The Senior gymnasts will be looking ahead to a crucial year of competition in 2011 with the European Championship held in Berlin (GER) April 6 – 10, and then the World Championships in Tokyo (JPN) Oct. 08 – 16. From British Gymnastics website