Gymnast Jaydon, 12, tumbles way to glory at Belgian Open
A 12-year-old gymnast has somersaulted his way to glory at an international championship.
Jaydon Paddock, from Wednesbury has returned triumphant from the Belgian Open Tumbling Tournament in Mortsel, near the city of Antwerp.
And now the Wood Green Academy pupil has his sights set on becoming British champion when he takes part in the national contest later this summer.
He received the gold medal for the Miniemen Jongens section of the event on May 5, which is for those in the 11 to 12 age group. Tumbling is an acrobatic and athletic event which combines the skills and artistry of the floor event, with those of trampolining, and is performed on a 25-metre-long spring track.
Each competitor must do two runs, and each run must contain eight skills. He performed two well-executed tumble runs, with the first consisting of six whip somersaults into a full in back out manoeuvre, and the second contained six whips into a double tuck somersault.
And to top off his win, Jaydon's score was actually higher than the winner of the next age group up. Pank Patel, headteacher at Wood Green Academy where Jaydon is in year seven, said: "We are immensely proud."
