Madison wins bronze for Kilbarry Gymnastics

Talented eight-Year-old gymnast Madison Hamilton from Kilbarry Gymnastics Academy (KGA) finished in third place taking the Bronze medal back to Waterford for her Vault in the Level 2/3 Plus Competition at Gymnastics Ireland’s newly launched Next Gen Championships which took place in the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena recently. The competition was part of the National Series and saw Women's Artistic, Men's Artistic, Rhythmic and Trampoline gymnasts competing across the two days.

This new podium level event defines key development and elite levels within the National Series pathway. It is through these key pathway levels that Irish gymnasts of the future will pass through as they aim to develop towards junior and ultimately senior international level. All gymnasts got to compete on an international standard podium which hosted the Northern European Gymnastics Championships the following weekend so this really was a very special experience for these young Waterford gymnasts.

Also competing over the weekend was KGA’s young Level 2/3 Plus Team made up of Madison Hamilton, Lucy Hayes, Sophia Power and Ava Pierce, they finished in 6th place in the Team competition in a very strong field. Sophia Power finished 11th overall out of over 40 gymnasts and Lucy Hayes who was competing up two age groups and levels got the 5th highest vault score. Bethan Morgan and Aisling McKenna competed at Level 4/5 Plus, with Bethan finishing in the top 15 overall and Aishling getting the 5th highest vault score.

KGA Director and Head Coach Maddie Croke said: “Massive well done to our six gymnasts competing. All the girls did amazing. It was a fantastic experience for them to compete at this new national podium level event.”