British Gymnastics Names 2013 World Championships Teams

Sep 16, 2013 by Anne Phillips

The British gymnasts selected to compete at the 2013 artistic gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium (30 September - 6 October) have been confirmed with a host of Olympic heroes complemented by some of the sport's rising stars.

Rebecca Tunney and Hannah Whelan at the 2012 London Olympics

The six strong men’s team includes double 2012 Olympic medallist Max Whitlock who this year has already taken the English and British all-around titles as well as three European medals. Max is joined by Olympic team bronze medal winners Daniel Purvis, Sam Oldham and Kristian Thomas. Daniel Keatings, the 2013 European pommel horse champion and Ashley Watson complete the line-up.

The women’s team features Ruby Harrold who made the 2013 European Championships all-around, bars and beam final and Beijing Olympian Rebecca Downie who joined Ruby in the European bars final. London 2012 gymnasts Hannah Whelan and Rebecca Tunney make a welcome return to major championship action to complete the team.

Men’s Head National Coach Eddie Van Hoof said: “An individual World Championships gives an indication as to the progress of gymnasts from the top nations and the improvements made in the new cycle. For the British boys it gives a chance to show upgraded routines and the opportunity for individual gymnasts to shine. We hope to build on the success of the European Championships and demonstrate the great depth we have in our squad.”

Women’s Head National Coach Amanda Reddin said: “As these are the first World Championships of the new Olympic cycle it gives all nations the chance to assess the current situation and see what will be required going forward. The team we have selected has great experience with three Olympians in Hannah Whelan, Rebecca Tunney and Rebecca Downie who are joined by Ruby Harrold who made three finals at this year’s European Championship. The aims for the championships are to compete good quality routines working towards qualification for finals and putting a marker down for the rest of the cycle.”

The 2013 World Championships are the first following the Olympic Games. By tradition, this format of championships shows the refreshed picture of the sport with the new Code of Points (rules) being introduced and a generation of new stars emerging. The championships are individual only; there will be no team event and each Federation may enter a maximum of 6 male and 4 female gymnasts, but no more than 3 gymnasts may compete per apparatus.

The attached British Gymnastics 2013 World Championships media guide provides comprehensive information on the competition including schedules, profiles of the British team members and past results.

Via British Gymnastics

Ruby Harrold's uneven bars set will be a must-see routine in Antwerp. She competes a very unique combination of skills including a rarely seen stoop shoot to low bar. Harrold's routine is valued at a 6.30 difficulty score, one of the most difficult in the World.

Watch the breakdown of Harrold's routine here: