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Charlie Axtell, Michaela Sandy and Aliyah Idris led Bahrain’s medal haul as the gymnasts and coaches from CHAOSS returned from a regional competition in Qatar.
Hosted by the Gym Academy Doha at the Gymnastics Federation Training Hall, 84 leading gymnasts ranging from age eight to 15 representing five clubs from around the Gulf competed in categories ranging from level 3 to 8.
CHAOSS took nine gymnasts and returned with a total of 11 medals.
Charlie Axtell, 10, from Saar, was the only recipient of gold following a near-faultless display on the vault that earned her a score of 9.5 at Level 4. This, combined with strong showings on the beam and floor, also allowed her to claim bronze overall. She narrowly missed overall gold as the top three were separated by only 0.15 of a point.
Michaela Sandy, 14, had the heaviest hand-luggage on the return flight claiming three Level 5 medals, including silver overall. This strong showing was built on receiving silver on the beam and bronze on the vault.
Aliyah Idris, nine, secured two silver medals in Level 4 Vault and Floor, narrowly missing out on an overall medal.
There was a particularly poignant moment as Alex Jones, nine, cheered on by her parents, Rebecca and Barry, who know the peninsular well, claimed a silver medal in Level 3 vault. The Jones family will hope that news of her success reached her brother Adam, currently at the centre of a bitter international custody dispute going through the courts in Qatar.
Special mention should also be reserved for the combative Sophie Moir, who turned nine on the day of the competition. The youngest competitor in her category with several opponents two years older, she claimed silver with her vault and will have been encouraged by a strong performance on the floor and beam.
Other medal winners were:
Tahlia Butler, 10, Level 3 Vault silver
Aya Lazrak, 11, Level 5 Floor silver
Following the competition the gymnasts and their coaches were invited to watch the 7th FIG World Championship Cup held at the stunning ASPIRE facility.
