Kieran Makes History for JS Gymnastics Evesham at English U12 Challenge

Yesterday marked a historic moment for JS Gymnastics Evesham as Kieran became the first gymnast from our club to compete at the prestigious English U12 Challenge Range Competition.

Throughout the event, Kieran faced some challenges, and a few early mistakes meant that an all-around medal slipped out of reach. However, he still had a realistic shot at an individual medal on the High Bar. It wasn’t going to be easy — a tough decision had to be made: play it safe for a strong all-around finish around 10th place, or take a big risk and aim for a High Bar podium.

After careful discussion with his coach, Jarek, Kieran made the brave choice to attempt a more difficult routine, including a new skill he had only performed twice before in training. It was a high-stakes gamble — success could mean a medal, but a fall could push him far down the standings.

Showing true fighter spirit and determination, Kieran went for it. This time, the risk didn’t quite pay off. Still, he finished joint 6th on Vault and joint 8th on Parallel Bars, placing 26th overall — a fantastic achievement on such a big stage.

“We are very proud of Kieran. He showed real potential and heart competing at the highest level," said his personal and club Head Coach, Jarek Szmelc. "Kieran is writing our club’s history, and we are excited to see what the future holds for him. He has everything it takes to become JS Gymnastics Evesham’s first British Finalist — that is our main goal for the coming years!"

Kieran’s performance is a huge inspiration for all our young gymnasts. His passion, bravery, and commitment perfectly represent what JS Gymnastics Evesham stands for. We are incredibly proud to support him on his journey.

At our club in Evesham, we offer everything needed to develop high-level gymnasts ready to compete at the highest levels. We warmly welcome everyone who would like to join and experience the amazing sport of gymnastics with us!