Liverpool played host to the 117th edition of the British Gymnastics Championships, where 385 gymnasts battled for the prestigious national titles. In the senior ranks, many of Team GB’s Paris 2024 Olympians opted to compete selectively on certain apparatuses, easing back into competition mode. This left the door open for Alia Leat and Jamie Lewis, who seized the opportunity to make their mark by clinching the all-around crowns. Beyond the elite performances, this year’s championships also showcased the next generation of British gymnastics, with outstanding displays in the Junior, Aspire, U14, and U16 categories. Here’s a full recap of a thrilling weekend in Liverpool.
Alia Leat’s Unexpected Triumph.
Few had predicted Alia Leat to be in contention for gold, especially after she had briefly stepped away from the sport. But the Heathrow Gymnastics Club gymnast stunned the competition, securing the all-around title with a total of 52.200 points. Her remarkable comeback saw her edge out Frances Stone (51.350) and Emily Roper (49.600) to claim the top spot. This victory follows her success at the English Championships in February, solidifying her return to the forefront of British gymnastics.
On the men’s side, Jamie Lewis capitalised on the absence of several Olympic-level contenders to reaffirm his status as Britain’s leading all-around gymnast. His commanding total of 80.200 points secured him gold ahead of Jonas Rushworth (78.850) and Luke Whitehouse (78.650). Whitehouse, a double European floor champion and Tokyo Olympian, was among the pre-event favourites but was undone by minor errors, including a fall on a triple back tuck on the rings.
Jessica Gadirova Returns After Injury.
Another major moment of the weekend was the much-anticipated return of Jessica Gadirova, the world champion, multiple European gold medallist, and Olympic medallist. Having missed Paris 2024 due to a severe knee injury, Gadirova cautiously re-entered competition, limiting herself to the uneven bars, where she took silver with a score of 12.700. The event was won by Emily Roper (13.050). While only a small step forward, it marked an important milestone on Gadirova’s journey back to full fitness.
Fierce Battles in the Apparatus Finals.
The apparatus finals delivered intense competition and thrilling performances. On the men’s side, Luke Whitehouse ignited the crowd with a spectacular floor routine, scoring an impressive 14.550 to take the gold. Jamie Lewis showcased his mastery on the pommel horse, winning with a score of 14.250, further cementing his status as a potential successor to six-time Olympic medallist Max Whitlock, who recently announced his retirement. Courtney Tulloch once again proved his dominance on the rings, narrowly edging out Harry Hepworth with a score of 14.350. Hepworth, a 21-year-old who reached the Olympic final in Paris and secured a bronze medal on vault, pushed Tulloch to his limits. Meanwhile, Jake Jarman stole the spotlight on the parallel bars and vault, claiming victory with scores of 13.900 and 14.625, respectively. Jamie Lewis, already crowned all-around champion, rounded off his outstanding weekend by securing the horizontal bar title with a commanding performance.
In the women’s competition, Isabelle Priestly impressed on vault, securing gold with a score of 13.250. Emily Roper continued her strong form by taking the uneven bars title with 13.050, while Frances Stone delivered a composed and elegant routine on the balance beam to claim victory with 12.800. Alia Leat, unstoppable throughout the championships, added another gold to her collection by triumphing on floor with a stunning routine that earned her 12.950.
The Next Generation Shines in Liverpool.
While the senior gymnasts delivered spectacular performances, the rising stars of British gymnastics also made their mark in Liverpool. In the Aspire category, 12-year-old Elisabetta Cardelli of Heathrow Gymnastics Club announced herself as a talent to watch, clinching the all-around title with a score of 48.350. Jessica Gow (Falcons Gym) and Evie Ashurst (Notts) completed the podium. This remarkable achievement, in what was her first appearance at the British Championships, suggests a bright future ahead.
In the U16 category, Uzair Chowdhury, a double junior European champion in 2024 (team and parallel bars), dominated the competition, winning the all-around title by an astonishing margin of 6.5 points. Representing Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, he reaffirmed his immense potential by also claiming gold on rings, pommel horse, and high bar. Lucas Scully (Leeds Gymnastics) and Jake Palmer (Portsmouth) took silver and bronze, respectively. Special mentions go to Jesse Dobson (Heathrow Gymnastics), who excelled on floor, and Mitchell Cargill (City of Glasgow), who impressed on vault with a winning score of 13.100.
In the Junior category, Helena Finc (Park Wrekin) made history by securing her third consecutive all-around title, having previously triumphed in the Aspire category in 2023 and 2024. Her total of 50.300 points saw her finish ahead of Lexi Holmes (Clwb Cymru) and Andrea Ndoro (South Essex), who earned silver and bronze, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the U14 division, Kaydn Jackson (South Essex) stole the show with a total score of 74.150, his spectacular vault drawing huge applause from the audience. Defending champion Denis Skala (Manchester Academy of Gymnastics) had to settle for silver this time, while James Knipe completed the podium. Jackson also added golds on parallel bars and vault to his tally, while Skala proved his versatility by winning titles on floor and rings, meaning the two gymnasts dominated nearly every apparatus between them.
A Glimpse into Future International Contests.
The 2025 British Championships provided an early benchmark for gymnasts as the sport enters a new Olympic cycle. With the European Championships in Leipzig this May and the World Championships in Jakarta this October, this competition served as a crucial testing ground for those vying for selection. While experienced gymnasts are steadily regaining form, the new wave of British talent has shown they are more than ready to take on the challenge.
