Andover Gym Club’s elite tumbling gymnasts travelled to the Echo Arena, Liverpool to take part in the 2014 British Championships last week and Kristof Willerton continued to make gymnastics’ history winning the British Championships Senior title for the fifth year in a row.

In the last year he has become the World Champion, the European Champion, claimed gold in the World Cup in Portugal two weeks ago and now has his fifth British Championships. He is the first British gymnast to hold any of the international titles as well as being the only one to win five British titles in a row.

In the 15-16 Girls, Jenna Barrett qualified third before upping the difficulty for the finals with a double twisting double straight somersault to set a new personal best of 33.10 and becoming the British Champion.

Maya Dowden also qualified for the finals in fourth but an underpowered run dropped her to eighth.

Libby West, AGC’s youngest gymnast finished in ninth place while hopes were high for an early medal with Jess Brain in the 11-12 age group after her success at the World Championships last year.

Jess performed outstandingly on Saturday to finish the qualifiers in first place but a small mistake in the finals on Sunday dropped her into fourth.

Andover had two gymnasts in the 13-14 girls’ section. Amiee Antonius and Alicia Cox both produced tight and tidy skills to finish the qualifiers in tied fourth place.

In the finals Amiee, who has returned to competition after a broken hand, continued her consistent work and finished fourth with Alicia eighth.

Chris Marfell (13-14 boys) had a very good competition, finishing fourth in the qualifiers and improving his performance on Sunday, producing the highest value skill of the group, to claim an unexpected bronze in a very competitive age group.

Two gymnasts qualified for the Senior finals.

Jamie Leach’s first run landed short and unfortunately the damage to his ankles forced him to withdraw from the event without competing his second run.

All gymnasts apart from Libby will now concentrate on preparing for the second trials for the World Championships – the performances at the British have strengthen their likelihood of selection.

l Pictured are Chris Marfell, Jenna Barrett, coach Paddy Lavelle and Kristof Willerton.