Landmark gold for Preston trampolinist Jamie Gibney

The 17-year-old ace covered himself in glory at the weekend when he achieved first place in the double mini trampoline (DMT) in the Under-20s age category at the Scalabis Cup, in Portugal.

A serial champion domestically, Gibney was still waiting for his first major gold medal on the global stage as a Great Britain athlete.

However that wait is now over after his brilliant performance in the Portuguese city of Santarém.

Producing a miller manoeuvre – a double straight somersault with a triple twist – Gibney achieved a score of 71.400, which was two marks better than his nearest rival.

The Newman College student’s success is all the more special bearing in mind it came in the country which is the home of DMT.

Proud mum Wendy Gibney said: “Portugal is the biggest place in the world when it comes to DMT.

“The sport was basically founded in Portugal and they have got a lot of clubs, so for Jamie to go there and win the Under-20s category – as one of the youngest competitors – it’s a big achievement.”

What made things even more satisfying for Gibney was that he nailed the miller – a skill which he has, at times, struggled with in the past.

“One of Jamie’s personal DMT coaches text me to say, ‘The pass he hates the most, he lands right in the box! That’s typical Jamie.”

Gibney now turns his attentions to the British Championships in Birmingham at the end of September.

The event will act as the qualifier for November’s World Championships, which takes place in St Petersburg, Russia. He also has the English 
Championships to look forward to in Sheffield in October.

It proved to be an excellent event all around for Great Britain team.

They won three team titles and 22 athletes all won medals in a competition which boasted 640 gymnasts from 14 different countries.

Gibney is sponsored by the Health Shack, in Lancaster Road, Preston.

The Big Interview with Jamie Gibney