Emma scoops British title

IPSWICH gymnast Emma Grisdale has beaten more than 40 competitors to be crowned British universities champion.She took gold in the women's four-piece artistic competition, which consists of the bars, beam, floor and vault.

By Georgina James

IPSWICH gymnast Emma Grisdale has beaten more than 40 competitors to be crowned British universities champion.

She took gold in the women's four-piece artistic competition, which consists of the bars, beam, floor and vault.

Emma went absolutely clean, which means she never made a mistake, scoring 31.9 and so equalling her highest ever score.

Her faultless performance set an early high standard in the event and her nearest

competitor was almost one mark behind her.

"She won comfortably with quite a big gap. Normally the margin is just .1 or .2 of a mark," said head coach Andy Wood.

The 22-year-old, who is one of the eldest gymnasts competing in Great Britain, toppled a host of international stars at the University Championships held at Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

Emma's triumph means she has been

selected to travel to South Korea in August to compete in the World University Games in Seoul.

Wood said: "This is just unbelievable. This result gives Pipers Vales gymnasts their third British title this year and ninth British champion in the last three years."

Wood's own hard work has also been rewarded as he has been asked to join Emma as her coach at the championships.

"This is my first big international event. It's a real honour to be asked and I am thrilled and delighted about the prospect.

"This has made one of my own dreams come true," he said.

Emma fits in her busy training schedule around her studies at Kingston University in London where she is doing a Sports Science degree.

Emma will join Ipswich team-mates Pascal Craymer, Rosalie Hutton, Nicky Bruce, Yasmin Cook, Amber Russell and Lilly Black at the Bill Slater national team championships at Newcastle later this month where the club will be hoping for further success.