Gravesend gymnast crowned British Senior Disabilities champion (From News Shopper)

Gravesend gymnast Lauren Lethbridge crowned British Senior Disabilities champion

11:53am Wednesday 12th December 2012 in News By Tim MacFarlan, Bexley and north Kent reporter

A YOUNG Gravesend gymnast has vaulted her way to a national disabilities championship.

Lauren Lethbridge from the Meapa Gymnastics Club claimed the British 2012 Gymnastics Senior Disabilities title in Newcastle last month.

In her first year as a senior Lauren, aged 16, made a clean sweep at the competition, winning overall gold and taking four individual apparatus gold medals in the vault, asymmetric bars, beam and floor.

Lauren suffers from serious health conditions including a chronic lung disease that has required life support and gastro-intestinal failure which leaves her entirely dependent on a tube feed.

The Sutton Valence School, Maidstone pupil who lives in Bougthon Monchelsea has also undergone major surgery twice this year.

Her coaches John and Brenda Austin said: "We are very proud of Lauren’s achievements which are a culmination of hard work and commitment in the gym despite the many health obstacles she has to overcome on a daily basis.

"Lauren produced clean, confident routines throughout the competition, displaying an exceptional level of artistry and elegance on beam and floor that earned her much deserved applause and praise."