Gymnast Jamie Gibney earns top 10 spot at World Age Group Championships

The 17-year-old narrowly missed out on reaching the final of the double mini trampoline 17-21-year-old old competition (DMT) in St Petersburg, Russia.

It was all looking so promising for the Newman College student after the first run of the preliminary round which saw him placed third in the field.

However, a major mistake in his second pass saw him drop out of the top-eight qualification places for the final.

Despite his disappointment, Gibney, pictured right, was the youngest competitor in his age category and his performance should give him confidence for future years.

Proud mum Wendy said “Jamie finished 10th in the world which is a good achievement.

“After his first pass he was in third place but unfortunately his easier second pass didn’t go quite according to plan.

“He landed his first skill too far forward and had to really throw his second skill which meant he travelled too far and he landed just outside of blue zone.

“Soing that resulted in him receiving a massive deduction in his score.

“But he was the youngest in his age group and although he was really disappointed, he took it well.

“He knows that anything can happen on the day.”

The frustrating thing for Gibney was that some of the scores he has produced this summer, if duplicated in Russia, would have given him a bronze medal.

The former JumpUK ace, who now trains under the guidance of City of Liverpool Gymnastics Club, will now turn his attentions to next season, hopefully peaking for the World Championships in Japan

“He is disappointed,” Wendy Gibney said. “But he has a few more years of competing in this age group so it was good experience.

“He is off this week but will be looking to get back in the gym next week and start his training for the World Championships in Tokyo next year.”