Trampoline Gymnastics is a spectacular sport that can see a world-class trampolinist reach heights exceeding 10 metres whilst performing multiple somersaults and twists. It requires precise technique and perfect body control, leaving very little margin for error. Individual trampolining has been an Olympic sport since 2000, but at World Championship level, there are additional events. These are synchronised trampolining, double mini trampoline and tumbling.

The 2023 World Trampolining Championships came to Utilita Arena Birmingham from 9th to 12th November. I got media accreditation and attended on the 11th and 12th. The arena was about three-quarters full on both days. The crowd made up for the empty seats by being very loud and supportive, particularly for the British gymnasts.

The star of the British team was two-time Olympic medallist Bryony Page. Although she qualified for the women’s trampoline semi final with the highest score, she only scraped into the final in 8th place. She brought her A-game to the final on Sunday though. Being fourth in the running order meant Page had already watched three brilliant routines when it was her turn to compete, but she managed to stay calm. She performed a mesmerising and hugely difficult routine. The crowd went wild as they knew she had done something special. Her score of 56.680 put her at the top of the leaderboard. It was a nervous wait while the other gymnasts did their routines, but Page held onto the top spot and became World Champion for the second time. She said in her BBC Sport interview: “I really wanted to go for my harder routine so I’m so glad I pulled it off in the best way in front of the home crowd. I won the World Championships in 2021 during Covid time so we couldn’t really have a crowd so it’s just amazing that I’ve been able to make it up by having it here.” 

Page’s victory was made all the sweeter by the fact that she claimed a bronze medal with her training partner, Izzy Songhurst, in the synchronised event earlier that day. The American pairing of Sarah Webster and Nicole Ahsinger deserved their gold medal though. Their routine was spellbinding because, at certain points, they were so in sync that it looked like there was only one person trampolining.

Unfortunately, University of Birmingham student Andrew Stamp finished in 10th place in the men’s trampoline semi final, meaning he just missed out on the individual final. However, he showed great resilience as he bounced back quickly to help his teammates Zak Perzamanos and Corey Walkes win the bronze in the team final. This was the first men’s team medal that Great Britain have won since 1982.

The double mini trampoline (DMT) is like two mini tramps that have been joined in the middle. The first section of the apparatus is set at a slight angle and called the mount. From the mount, gymnasts somersault onto the second section of the apparatus. This second section is called the spotter and is where gymnasts dismount onto the landing mat. They have to try and land in the red section of the mat. The British women won the gold in the team final with three brilliant performances from Molly McKenna, Ruth Shevelan and Bethany Williamson. Ruben Padilla from the USA dominated the men’s DMT final with the most difficult skills and two fantastic landings. In the women’s final, it seemed like the gold was going to America again until Spanish gymnast Melania Rodriguez nailed the landing on her second pass.

Tumbling consists of the gymnasts powering down a 25 metre track and performing at least two different somersaults. When an athlete gets it right, it really looks like they are defying the laws of gravity. As a team, Megan Kealy, Saskia Servini and Naana Oppon, retained their world title for Great Britain. Individually, Kealy and Servini also won silver and bronze behind France’s Candy Briere-Vetillard. Afterwards Kealy told BBC Sport: “I’ve had a difficult year with my training, I’ve been really struggling to believe in myself. So to come here to a home World Champs and achieve this has been a massive boost for me. I competed my upgraded passes and I knew whatever happened I had to leave everything out there. It was all worth it and it’s paid off for a world silver medal.” Local boy Jaydon Paddock lived up to the expectations of the home crowd and held his nerve to take the bronze medal in the men’s DMT final.

Overall, it was a fantastic World Championships, especially for the British team, who topped the medal table.

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