Continental London Men’s Open – One of the best yet…
9th May 2005On the weekend of the 2nd and 3rd of April, Men’s gymnastics descended on Gorebrook Liesure Centre for the Continental London Men’s Open and Continental London Development Open.
This year there was a move from East London Gymnastics Centre to the new large venue at Gorebrook. The competition supported by Continental Sports was in a new larger arena, with many more comfortable seats available.
Two very long days of competition saw over 270 gymnasts compete across both competitions.
Saturday brought in one of the finest line up of elite gymnasts in recent years, with many of our GB gymnasts trying to reach qualification scores for the European Championships. Scotland was also using the competition for purposes of Commonwealth Games selection. To add to the mix we had two gymnasts from Russia and two from Belgium who put in some great performances.
Saturday started with the U16 category, and some great gymnastics. Louis Smith of Huntingdon took the Gold Medal, with a score of 49.10, nearly a mark and half clear of team mate Daniel Keatings who scored 47.650. Ivan Bulyha of Hinckley took bronze with a score of 45.250.
We then moved to the main event of the day. VIP’s such as Peter Moore (LGF President), Carol Ford (London Open President), Matthew Greenwood (BG Performance Manager) and Alan Somerville (BGA CEO) gathered to witness a great competition. The senior competition had a great line up including gymnasts from Russia and Belgium. However it was current British Champion Ross Brewer from Sutton who impressed the judges, winning all 3 accolades associated with the competition. He picked up the Westminster Shield first (presented to the highest scoring BGA registered gymnast) with a score of 52.800. Just one tenth pushed Hinckley’s Ruslan Panteleymonov in to 2nd place with 52.700. Third place went to team-mate Evgenyi Gryshchenko with a score of 50.750.
The International Competition was dominated by our Russian guests from Vladimir (the home of Nicolai Andiranov). Ruslan Nigmadzyanov (ranked 5th recently in Russia’s National Championships) took gold – 51.050, Alexander Kalabin silver – 49.90 and Koen Van Damme of Belgium took Bronze – 49.850.
The prize money awards are the true ranking of GB gymnasts versus International gymnasts, but once again it was Ross Brewer who came away with the highest score and prize money! 2nd went to Ruslan Pantelemonov and 3rd to Ruslan Nigmadzyanov.
As if that wasn’t enough, Ross also walked away with the prestigious Westminster Cup, awarded to the highest placed London Gymnast.
So from the frills and spills of the Senior competition, it was straight onto the final competition of the day, the rising talent of the U14’s. This competition proved equally exciting as the two previous. Members from 3 of the leading junior clubs shared the honours. Gold went to the highly talented Reiss Beckford of South Essex – 46.600. Silver went to Andrew Smith of Notts – 44.100 and Bronze to James Wythe of Woking – 43.800.
Thibault Hoffreumon of Belgium, who wowed the audience with some very fine work, won the International Trophy.
So the end of day one, and no sooner had coaches, gymnasts and officials left the arena, than the doors opened once again for day 2, and the London Development Open.
The London Development Open has been running for a few years now. It had traditionally used the London Region’s own development programme, but this year with changes to the National NDP set’s the organising committee took the gamble to run the competition on the National Rules.
The gamble paid off, over 150 gymnasts competed from 8am to 6.30pm. The competition is broken down by 8 levels, with each level having an in age category as well as various out of age options.
The day seemed to be a hit with coaches, gymnasts, judges and spectators. The nice thing about the London Development Open is that is gives many gymnasts the opportunity to compete and win accolades. Medals are presented for all around positions at each level and each age group, along with the highest scores on each apparatus. To ensure no one walks away empty handed, all gymnasts receive a certificate of participation and a commemorative t-shirt.
Some gymnasts would have been competing for their first time at Primary 4, whilst in the Youth and Open section we saw some of the gymnasts that have stayed in the sport because of the enjoyment it gives them.
Intertwined between the competitions were a series of excellent displays performed by Harlequins, Diva, Bromley Valley, Camberwell and Flyin’ Scotts.
An event of this magnitude requires an enormous amount of volunteer help, and the LGF MTC are grateful to all those who made a contribution to the event team. Special thanks to the Europa Gym Club Event Team
The LGF Would also like to recognise the part played by our sponsors and partners for this year’s championships.
Partners: London 2012, Ashe Construction
Sponsors: BGA, LGF, Topblock, Continental, Zone, Capital Roofing
The professionalism of the production and the gymnastics combined to make this a one of the best London Open weekends ever.