11 athletes from Richmond Gymnastics Association (RGA) are getting ready to compete in the global stage at the Acrobatic World Championships representing Great Britain.

Before setting off this week to Guimaraes, Portugal where the event is being held, the group rehearsed at their studio in Townmead Road where each gymnast had the chance to polish up their routines in front of friends and family. 

The World Championships have come on the back of an impressive finish from RGA in the British Gymnastics Acrobatic National Finals in July, but the group now has the chance to build on that and go further in Portugal. 

So far, five gymnasts' from RGA participating in the Age Groups have gotten their World Championship's underway, with Christoph (17) and Louisa (14) in the 12-18 Mixed Pair Balance Routine and Chole (18) Charlotte (18) and Isla (14) in the 12-18 Women's Group Balance Routine on 12 September. 

Each partnership competes in two different routines. One is the Balance routines which are static moves that are held with smooth transitions. The other is Dynamic routines which typically involve the crazy mid air flips that audiences love. 

Christoph (left) and Louisa rehearsing their Dynamic Routine in Richmond (credit: Oliver Monk).

Ahead of the competition, Chloe and Charlotte explained to Richmond Nub News how the group is "ready" to perform in Portugal and represent Great Britain, while at the same time enjoying the moment. 

Chloe said: "We are just ready and prepared to go out there. We have trained this whole year and the last six weeks have just been polishing." 

Charlotte added: "Going out there and representing Great Britain and having that pride of getting selected and wearing your flag and your kit...and trying to take it all in and having fun as well.  

"There is not many people who get to do what we get do." 

(Top to bottom) Isla, Charlotte and Chloe practising their Balance Routine before the World Championships (credit: Oliver Monk).

The five that competed yesterday will go again today (13 September) with their Dynamic Routines, meanwhile Toby (17) and Leela (14) begin their competition in the 13-19 Mixed Pair Balance Routine later today. 

Next week, the remaining four gymnasts from RGA head to Portugal to compete in the Senior categories which includes Louis (18), Rex (18), Freddie (18) and Samuel (18). 

The quartet's successful dynamic 'Spiderman' routine served them well in the nationals helping them to secure gold medals and is set to feature in the World Championships.

However, the group have not gone without adjusting and sharpening bits where possible. 

Rex explained: "As you get closer and closer, it's just polishing. Just thinking about the really small details and the one percents.  

"It kind of builds up and up and up towards the competition date." 

He continued: "But I think as yeah, but as you as you get closer and closer, you want to be making less and less changes." 

(Top to bottom) Samuel, Rex, Freddie and Louis performing their 'Spiderman' Routine (credit: Oliver Monk).

The athletes admitted that to be able to compete at the high level they all do, it would not be possible without the commitment their coaches put in them. 

"Our coaches help us out tremendously in pretty much anything we do," said Samuel. "We've got our balance where we'll have our coaches either just standing ready to catch in case anything goes wrong or trying to see if there are any mistakes and to help us correct it and make it better."  

He added: "And then in dynamic we'll have them pulling the rigs, which are just a mechanism that we use to help us learn the moves first." 

Going over and polishing their routines is an important part of the preparation process before competing in front of thousands at the world stage, but the Richmond gymnasts also explain that a key part of the training is the physical and mental side of the sport.  

Charlotte said: "We also have a psychological element to gymnastics as well.  

"We have a psychologist here to prepare us mentally." 

Rex added: "We have a strength and conditioning coach and physios. so it really does take a massive team (to compete)." 

(Top to bottom) Leela and Toby perform on 13 and 14 September (credit: Oliver Monk).

And an integral part of the "massive" team is Melaine Sanders, Head of Acrobatics Operations Manager at RGA. 

Having coached most of the members from when they first began gymnastics, she more than anyone understands the effort and dedication it takes just to be selected for a competition like the Acrobatic World Championships. 

She told Richmond Nub News: "They've come so far. I've had them since they were like 10 and 12-years-old. They're not even recognisable from where they've come from to where they are now. 

"I just want everyone to enjoy the whole experience. I think it's a massive achievement and they should just enjoy it.  

"They're going to travel to some great countries and meet some great friends that they'll have for life and it's something that can never be taken away from them. 

When asked if she has set targets for the gymnasts Mel explained that she has not as they already accomplished the "hardest" part which is being selected for Team GB. 

"It's just putting everything into perspective and at the end of the day they are children.  

"It was a really tough selection and what I always say to them is now this is just for them. They've done me proud by getting to this stage and getting them selected and now everything else is for them and it'll be what it will be." 

Melaine can be seen in the bottom left corner on the floor analysing her gymnasts' routine (credit: Oliver Monk).

Irrespective of the result, the gymnasts are in Portugal representing not only Britain but also Richmond Borough through self-funding, made possible by the community's support of RGA. 

Freddie remarked: "I think it's quite difficult for a lot of us to be able to go in the first place. It is really expensive."  

"We've got to buy the whole kit for the GB squad, we've got pay for our flights, hotels, meals so it's really helpful to have the funding there for us." 

Rex added: "The government delegate funding depending on outreach to the public, and often when you're not an Olympic sport, that's really difficult. 

"And we're really hoping that if we can get more people following the sport, then we can get more funding."  

He continued: "I think when people finally see what it actually is then they'll definitely get behind it." 

RGA are competing in the Acrobatic World Championships until 22 September. To support and follow the gymnasts, visit its website here. 

To donate and support the RGA in getting its gymnasts to more competitions, click here. 

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