TWO gymnasts from Andover are returning home from the Trampoline World Championships with four medals following an exceptional week in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Comfort Yeates and Kristof Willerton, who both train at Andover Gymnastics Club, won individual world gold and silver respectively, as well as both playing pivotal roles in the women’s and men’s teams winning world gold.
Comfort is the latest British star to become an individual world champion. At the age of just 17, and as a late replacement for the senior team, she led qualifying before dominating the final to become world champion.
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Speaking about the feeling of becoming the best in the world, Comfort said: “It doesn't sound real to be world champion. It hasn't sunk in yet, but it feels amazing. It was very nerve-wracking. I had no expectations at all coming here and then all of this happened. It feels like a dream come true.
“The whole World Championships have gone better than I could have ever imagined. When they announced me as world champion, it just didn’t seem right. I’ve imagined it so many times in my head, but it has now actually happened!”
Kristof’s individual silver came at the same arena where he became individual world champion nine years ago, with the Championships this year marking his 10th senior worlds.
Speaking about winning a second individual world medal, a delighted Kristof said: “I think this is going to take a long time to sink in, because I’ve wanted this one for a long time. It means a lot. This is everything I’ve been working for. I’ve put so much work in this year to really try and push for this. For it to have happened, I’m ecstatic.
“The first time I came to Sofia in 2013, there were no expectations but it was a massive shock when I won our first individual gold. Then we came back and won team gold four years later here.
“This place is very special to me, and this makes it even more so. For it to have all gone to plan, it just feels amazing.”
Both gymnasts also put their success down to the work that goes on at Andover GC, with Comfort adding: “There’s so much support at the club with Paddy (Lavelle), and Kristof coaches me too. He’s a legend of the sport and inspires me every day.”
It was a historic World Championships for GBR as they secured their best-ever results, returning home with six medals, including four gold, two silver and one bronze.
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Sarah Powell, British Gymnastics chief executive, said: "It was a fantastic World Championships for the whole team and the perfect way to end what has been a great year for trampoline, tumbling and DMT, with success at both European and world level.
"Performances like these don't come without the hard work and dedication of the gymnasts, but also of the coaches, clubs and support staff that give them the opportunity to shine. Congratulations should go to all that have played their part."
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