AGILE Ted Havers will be representing the North West in a national gymnastics final in November.
The Haslingden High School Year 8 student competed at the North West Regional Set Grades at Robin Park Leisure Centre and Arena in Wigan last month along with his middle brother Bob, nine, and both were picked to represent the North West.
Ted said: “They have just redone the grades and we only found out a couple of months ago how they have changed and so we have had to change some of the routines.”
The Grade 4 gymnast is very dedicated to the sport having started when he was three after he asked his mum how to do a cartwheel.
Now both his younger brothers, Bob and Jim, five, who attend Stubbins Primary School, are also gymnasts at Bury.
Ted said: “In the competition my best result was on vault where I got 9.1. My weakest was the high bar and that is what I am going to be training hard on.
“We also do pommel, parallel bars, rings, floor and PPP Physical Preparation Programme.
“I am delighted to be representing Bury Gymnastics Club and the North West in a national competition at the age of 12.”
At the Wigan competition, he was up against gymnasts from Manchester Academy, City of Manchester and Longridge.
He said: “I think I was lucky to get through as only the top six got places and I was sixth.”
As well as full time at school, Ted spends a further 17-and-a-half hours gymnastics training at Bury each week, and extra time for competitions.
He said: “When I am training, if it is on pommel, then I will be working on that equipment for a complete hour.
“I can deadlift 120kg, but who would want to stay at home, get fat and just play video games all the time.
“I eat tonnes of food, but I burn it off. Mentally, in the morning, I can be tired or groggy, but when I get to the gym it is really nice, I am with all my friends and I have great social interaction.
“Last year, when I got to the finals. I did alright [he helped North West achieve sixth place].
“I am hoping to do better this year and will be competing as a team and an individual. I want to try to get a medal. I am excited and nervous, but I will have had a couple of months to prepare for the competition.”
Caption
Haslingden High School student Ted Havers who is representing the North West in a national gymnastics final.
Ted’s younger brother Bob, who is also representing the North West in the same competition.