By Pippa Field

With five medals at the Youth Olympic Games, it proved to be a summer to remember for Dartford gymnast Giarnni Regini-Moran.

And it won’t be long until he is knocking on the door of the senior team according to world silver medallist Max Whitlock.

Regini-Moran was one of the stand-out performers for Team GB in Nanjing in August, claiming the all-around, floor and vault titles as well as bronze in the parallel bars and horizontal bar.

It capped off a remarkable year for the 16-year-old who became junior European floor champion in May, while also taking gold in the team event and vault silver in Sofia.

And with his international reputation growing as quickly as his medal collection, Whitlock, double bronze medallist at London 2012, believes Regini-Moran has the talent to make the next step up.

Whitlock formed part of the men’s team who recorded a highest-ever finish of fourth at last month’s World Championships before taking individual all-around silver although he admits the performances of Regini-Moran  is keeping him on his toes.

“Giarnni one of the guys who is coming through - he’s a powerhouse,” said Whitlock, speaking at a Get Set to Make a Change event, a programme that looks to keep the spirit of London 2012 alive.

“Some of his stuff in training as well is very impressive.

“His floor and vault is really pushing the team.

“If there is a gap in the team for the floor and vault, he’ll slot in perfectly.

“We’ll just wait to see who is in the team, what format we’ll go for. 

“I know he’ll be pushing to make the senior team and I’m looking forward to seeing his progress.

“It works in a cycle. I think the younger ones look at the older ones and they’ll end up doing what they’re doing two years before.

“And that’s only great for the sport. They keep pushing and that can only make British gymnastics all the better.”

Regini-Moran need only look towards the example of Nile Wilson, winner of the 2014 British U18 all-around title, to see how quickly he can take the step up.

Wilson won four medals at this summer’s Commonwealth Games, including two golds, before joining Whitlock on the World Championship team in China.

And Whitlock believes Regini-Moran can cope with the rising pressure of expectation, provided he keeps enjoying himself.

“To be honest, you’ve just got to focus on your job and take each piece round by round and just enjoy it,” he added.

“I learnt that from the World Championships, I took the qualifications too seriously. I ended up putting too much pressure on myself and made too many mistakes.

“I went into the next competition just relaxed and just made sure I went out there and enjoyed it and that’s the advice I’d give to any gymnast.

“He’ll be able to cope with the pressure and he’ll get the support he needs.

“British Gymnastics is really in great shape at the minute.

“I think going from the successes we’ve had we’re really pushing to get some more and the youngsters are really doing a great job of coming through.”

Through GSTMC, the British Olympic Foundation, in conjunction with the British Paralympic Association is using the spirit of the London Games to re-inspire young people across the UK.

The project is being supported by a £2.5m grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Keeping the Spirit of 2012 Alive campaign.

For more information, visit makeachange.org.uk