A trio of Welsh gymnasts made a big impact on the international stage last week as they competed at the 2025 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig, representing Great Britain in the senior women’s team competition.
Ruby Evans, Emily Roper, and Frances Stone were part of a young and dynamic GB team that delivered an outstanding performance to place 6th overall in the team final, an impressive result in such a competitive field. They were joined by teammates Ruby Stacy and Alia Leat, with Jemima Taylor, also from Wales, serving as reserve.
All three Welsh athletes, Evans, Roper, and Stone, are currently named on the Commonwealth Games longlist, making this European outing a significant stepping stone as they work toward potential selection for Team Wales at the 2026 Games in Glasgow.
It was a particularly standout competition for Ruby Evans (Clwb Cymru), who not only contributed to the team’s strong showing but also qualified for three finals: the Mixed Team Final, the All-Around Final, and the Floor Final.
In the Mixed Team Final, Evans partnered with Olympic medallist Jake Jarman, and together they claimed a brilliant silver medal in what was the first-ever edition of the event, an exciting new addition to the Championships that proved to be a fan favourite.
Evans went on to make her debut All-Around Final, showing composure and consistency to finish 10th, climbing from her 15th place in qualification. She closed her week with a spectacular floor routine that earned her 4th place in the floor final, just narrowly missing out on a medal.
Frances Stone, who trains at Amber Valley, and Emily Roper, based at Pipers Vale, also gained valuable international experience at this level, experience that will be vital as they continue to build towards the Commonwealth Games.
Reserve gymnast Jemima Taylor, also training at Clwb Cymru, was an integral part of the squad and remains firmly in the mix for future opportunities.
This strong showing from the Welsh contingent is a fantastic sign of things to come, and with the Commonwealth Games just over a year away, it’s an exciting time for Women’s Artistic gymnastics in Wales.