In 2023, Clara had a stand out year in Artistic Gymnastics, winning gold at AIMS Games and being crowned Midlands Champion. She was also the winner of the Individual Excellence Award at the RHS Supreme Sports Awards, our youngest ever winner.
She also finished 2nd in the yr 7 girls cross country in 2023 for good measure.
Clara, thank you for taking time out to chat with us, and congratulations on all your achievements in 2023. Can you tell us what it was like when they announced you had won AIMS Games?
I was really surprised. I really didn't think I would get top, like I didn't think I had done as well as I wanted to.
How long have you been doing gymnastics?
5 years, I started when I was in yr 3. I have been at the same club, Turn and Gymnastic Circle for that entire time.
How many hours of training do you have to do each week?
9 hours. I train 3 afternoons a week, 3 hours each on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday
How do you get through 3 hours - don’t you get hungry?
We are given a snack break and are allowed to drink water whenever we can.
How does gymnastics help with any other sports that you try?
It helps with power for short distance things as I practise the vault which helps that, and then with the stamina side of things, it makes you really fit, so I can always catch my breath in things like cross country.
One of your other achievements in 2023, was winning the Individual Excellence award at the RHS Supreme Sports Awards, which was an outstanding achievement for a yr 7. Tell us about that night, and celebrating your achievement with all of the best sportspeople across both of our schools.
I really enjoyed it because I got to spend my time with my Mum, who is always very busy. I also loved being able to show my family what I had done and could do. And I enjoyed spending time with other sportspeople.
What is your ultimate dream in gymnastics - what would you like to achieve?
Right now I would love to qualify for Nationals at the end of the year. If I can do that, I would really like to finish in the top 10.
You have also been a part of our RHS Cheerleading Squad in 2024, tell us about that experience
It was really fun, it was more fun than I thought it would be and it was so enjoyable. I would recommend it to anyone.
Are you as good at school work as you are at Sports?
I’m not sure about that (laughs)
What’s your favourite subject?
PE (Gareth Ashton is her teacher)
Who is your biggest supporter?
Mum and Dad for sure, they come to all my events.
If you could do one thing for your parents to say thank you what would you do (money isn’t an issue)
Take them travelling, like a vacation, anywhere that is nice. They both work so hard.
If you weren’t a gymnast, what sport do you think you would do?
It’s always what I’ve wanted to do, so I don’t know, I might just stay at home at do nothing if I wasn’t doing gymnastics (giggles)
What would you say to someone that is not sure if they would like sports?
I wouldn’t push them, but I would encourage them to try something. It would be up to them, and I would just hope they had fun.
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