Welsh duo ‘so proud’ after Aerobic European Championships bow
Emily James and Mia Bernardo say they were “so proud” after taking part in their first Aerobic European Championships as seniors for Great Britain over the weekend.
The talented duo, both from Aberdare, were competing as part of the senior group alongside Niamh Keane, Keleigh-Anne Blakey and Elizabeth Marais for this year’s championships, which were staged in Pesaro, Italy.
And the quintet only narrowly missed out on a place in the final, finishing 9th in qualifying with a score of 19.672.
In what is their first year in the senior ranks 17-year-old Emily, who trains between Bulmershe Gymnastics Club in Reading and Phoenix Dance & Gymnastics in Aberdare and Mia, 18, from Phoenix, also become the first Welsh aerobic gymnasts to compete at a European Championships since 2013.
The last to go was former senior women’s British champion Kayleigh Silver eight years ago.
“We’re so glad to be out here after the year we have all had,” they said.
“The challenges of training with Covid have been very difficult but we are so proud to be flying the Welsh flag as part of GBR.”
Meanwhile Britain’s junior gymnasts impressed, winning two medals to cap a brilliant three days.
Individual junior gymnast Lola Lawrence won a fantastic silver medal – with the junior group, consisting of Lola, Molly Brown, Freya Grafton, Katie Ferris and Emily Blackhurst, also impressing to win bronze.
Full results here: 2021 European Championships in Aerobic Gymnastics – NEW DATES!!! | European Gymnastics
