By Pippa Field

Crayford gymnast Giarnni Regini-Moran is confident he can live up to the weight of expectation on his young shoulders at this month’s European Youth Olympic Festival.

Despite being aged just 16, Regini-Moran has already accumulated an impressive list of honours next to his name.

Last year in particular was a stellar year, with double European junior gold and silver arriving in May before the Europa Gymnastics Club star added triple gold and double bronze at the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

It all means there is little chance of the former St John’s School pupil slipping in under the radar when the European Youth Olympic Festival gets underway on July 26.

But despite the added pressure, Regini-Moran insists it will be business as usual.

He said: “For me, it’s another great achievement to be selected for the team for the European Youth Olympic Festival this year.

“I can’t wait to get out there and compete for Team GB again. I’ve competed well this year.

“Everyone knows me now which does put me under pressure.

“People know what I have achieved and are expecting me to do the same.”

Regini-Moran added: “It’s nice when they introduce me as the Youth Olympic champion but I don’t let it get to me.

“When I compete I just try and block it out and try and do my best.

“I’ve been working on my routines, making them a bit harder and just getting ready for the competition.”

With his impressive CV, it seems to be only a matter of time before Regini-Moran makes the step up to senior level.

But if he needs any more motivation for using this year’s Festival as a springboard to bigger things, he need only look at Nile Wilson.

The two were teammates together at last year’s European Junior Championships with Wilson also medalling multiple times at the 2013 European Youth Olympic Festival in Utrecht.

He is now a double Commonwealth Games champion and Regini-Moran is well aware of building up the experience level ahead of tougher challenges.

“Doing competitions like the European Youth Olympic Festival is great as it gives you experience of the biggest competitions in the biggest arenas,” he added.

“It’s all good preparations for the top events like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.

“It’s not just being part of a team but getting to meet new friends and team-mates and see the village.

“I have been working really hard although it all comes down to the day itself. Hopefully I will do as well as I did in Nanjing. I will give it my all.”

To follow the team out at Tbilisi 2015, visit TeamGB.com or via Twitter @TeamGB