Melksham gymnast Hannah West has been commended for achieving her childhood dream of winning a national championship.
The 22-year-old received a gold medal in last year’s adult championships organised by British Gymnastics.
She scored the highest marks in the over-18s intermediate category for all four of her routines on the bars, beam, floor and vault in her first return to competitive sport since a childhood injury.
Now she has received a further accolade, coming third in the Wiltshire Life Awards 2018 for Young Sports Personality of the Year. She received her certificate during a glamorous black-tie dinner at the Steam Museum in Swindon.
Hannah said, “I was very honoured to be nominated and shortlisted, as there was lots of competition in my category. The awards evening was a bit of a blur because I was so nervous but it was a lovely occasion. Everyone was really nice.”
The gold medal was a huge achievement for Hannah, who competed at a national level as a child before having to give up – at the age of just 13 – after an operation on her knee left her in regular pain. Last year’s championship was her first return to competitive sport.
Today she is a director and squad head coach at Chippenham Moonraker Gymnastics Club. Hannah said, “I’ve had so many messages of congratulations from club members and their parents. I’d like to thank everyone for their support.
“I hope my own success will encourage even more people to consider gymnastics, whether for competition or just for fun. It’s a brilliant sport.”
For further information on Moonraker Gymnastics Club, visit www.chippenham gymnastics.co.uk
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