GYMNASTICS: Gravesend-based Meapa Gymnastics Club were on top form at the south-east regional women’s artist gymnastic championships in Guildford.
The annual event demonstrates the strength and depth of gymnastic talent currently coming out of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Gymnasts compete across the four disciplines of vault, asymmetric bars, balance beam and floor, fighting it out for medal positions and places at national finals.
Individual medals were awarded to Amy Robertson (gold), Faith Wilks and Maddie Roberts (silver), with Abbie Sawyer, Jenna Pratt, Amy Spaul and Poppy Morrison all winning bronze.
To add to the medal haul, Meapa also triumphed in the team event.
Successful winners included gold for Spaul, Caitlyn Firth, Olwen Noble and Wilks; silver for Amber Freeman, Ruby Bates, Morrison and Maddie Roberts; and bronze for Sawyer, Holly Pratt and Jemma Ridley.
Meapa head coach Yuriy Zhovtyuk said: “I was delighted with the level of work the girls put into the competitions and the success they had.
“The future looks very bright for many of them.”
FOOTBALL: Gravesham Girls & Ladies U10s were beaten 3-0 at home by Petts Wood but goals from Keira-Jo Carey and Leah Wright secured a first win of the season for the U11s against Sevenoaks.
A beautiful long lob from Brooke Hutson, tucking just under the crossbar, was small consolation for the U12s in a disappointing 5-1 defeat at Grasshoppers JFC.
Abby Hancock (2) and Jade Fawcett ensured the U15s won their top of the table clash with Long Lane.
Megan Taylor and Roisin Fuller took the U16s into an early 2-0 lead against Meridian, only for them to fight back in the second half in a 2-2 draw.
Rachel Stevens put the U18s ahead in their 1-1 draw with Bearsted.
KICKBOXING: Four members of Star Kickboxing Club enjoyed medal success while representing England at the unified world championships in Italy.
Phoebe Cumiskey, 11, nicknamed The Mighty Atom, won three golds in the light contact, point stop and K1 categories.
Hayley Ward, 18, took both light contact and full contact gold medals.
Tina Harvey and Bobby Garland both won bronze medals in their adult kickboxing fights.
Left to right: Chief instructor Paul Haworth, Tina Harvey, Bobby Garland, Phoebe Cumiskey, Hayley Ward and Leigh Haworth.
Leigh Haworth, IV Dan at Star Kickboxing Club, said: “The Star Kickboxing family are elated to welcome home their team of champions and to get back in the gym to focus on their future challenges.
“This tremendous success just shows what hard work, dedication, determination and most importantly fantastic coaches can achieve you.”
KARATE: Forest Hill’s Kyokushinkai black belt Nicole Arnold achieved a double triumph at the IKKU Welsh Open at the weekend.
The 17-year-old Crystal Palace Karate Club member came second in the Kata category, but went one better by winning overall in her Knockdown event to become IKKU Welsh champion.
KARATE: Bromley’s Dylan Port enjoyed gold medal success at the TKF Gojukai UK nationals in Ilford on Sunday.
The 17-year-old (pictured above topping the podium) was competing in the largest division of the day, the junior black belt division.
He fought with style and precision to progress to the final where he fought a hard battle with the reigning champion Tyrone Briscoe and went on to claim gold in his maiden external tournament.
Shodokan southern karate squad head coach Marlan Anthony said: “Dylan has only been training with the squad for two months and to achieve a national title so soon is exceptional.”
RUGBY: It was a sight many older Beccehamians thought they would never see, but after a wait of more than 20 years, new state of the art floodlights were switched on at Sparrows Den on Halloween.
RFU President Jonathan Dance (above) was on hand to press the switch, the RFU having awarded the Bromley club a half the total cost of the project.
The balance was raised by the generosity of club members and sponsors to give the playing fields in West Wickham the brightest and most efficient lights in the Borough.
Club chairman Nick Brooks explained: “We have gone for the best lights possible to ensure there is minimal disruption to our neighbours.
“There is no doubt these lights will help the club move forward, but most importantly, they will be used by our young players.”
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