Welsh Men’s Artistic gymnasts delivered a string of strong performances at the Men’s London Open this June, showcasing depth, determination, and emerging talent across multiple age categories.
In the Senior category, Theo-Amari Ochana, representing Heathrow, held his own in a highly competitive field, placing 5th in the all-around, a notable achievement that highlights his consistency across apparatus. Meanwhile, Daniel Winterborne stood out with a dominant performance on the Rings, claiming gold and underlining his specialist strength on the apparatus.
Wales’ younger gymnasts were equally impactful. In the Under 16 division, Jed Lewis of Colchester secured a bronze all-around, adding a silver on High Bar to cap off a standout competition. Fusion’s Iolo Parry also made his mark, finishing 7th all-around and earning a bronze on Pommel, a notoriously technical piece.
The Under 12 competition was a showcase of near-total domination from Fusion’s Thomas Welch, who impressed with six medals, including all-around silver. He swept three further silver apparatus medals, on Floor, Pommel, Rings, and added gold on Vault and Parallel Bars, demonstrating all-around strength and potential for future senior-level success.
In the Under 10s, YMCA Barry’s Cavell Griffin added to the medal tally with all-around silver, and medals on Pommel, Rings, and Parallel Bars. Fusion’s Elvis Spencer and Ryan Dando also reached the podium, with Spencer earning Vault silver, and Dando taking Floor bronze, rounding out a competition that saw Welsh gymnasts on nearly every medal step.
At the youngest levels, YMCA Barry’s gymnasts lit up the Under 9 category. Isaac Lloyd emerged as the standout performer, taking gold all-around alongside gold medals on Floor and Pommel, and silvers on Vault, Parallel Bars, and High Bar. Kobe Scott, also from YMCA Barry, was right on his heels with an all-around silver, plus gold on Rings, silver on Pommel, and bronze on Floor, a testament to the strength of the Barry-based program.
Reflecting on the success of the Welsh squad, Peter Haysham, Welsh MAG National Coach, praised the performances:
“The Welsh gymnasts shone at the London Open, winning medals in Senior, Junior and Foundation events. A fantastic 3 days of competition.”
This competition proved to be not only a medal-winning outing for the Welsh MAG contingent but also a strong indicator of the program’s rising talent and depth across the age groups. As these athletes continue to grow and gain experience, Wales is firmly positioning itself as a nation to watch in men’s artistic gymnastics.