He may have been out of action for nearly eighteen months due to injury, but sixteen-year-old Corey Walkes has had little time to relax lately, after a successful weekend competing in Liverpool at the prestigious 2017 British Trampoline and Tumbling Championships.

?Corey, who trains at Quayside Trampoline and Gymnastics Club in Bridgwater, and is a current member of the British Gymnastics Trampoline Olympic Potential Squad, was competing as a Guest gymnast, having been out of competition for nearly eighteen months. After fracturing his Navicular bone in his foot at the end of 2015, Corey could not qualify at either of the Spring Series events held earlier in the year.

For his comeback performance, Corey executed stunning routines, which included two triple-somersaults, and wowed the spectators and judges alike. He was awarded the highest score of not only his 15–16 age group by over thirteen points, but beating the Trampoline Elite Level Men’s 17–19 Gold medal winners’ score by over four points.

Although Corey achieved so highly, as a guest performer he was unable to add 2017 to his two previous British Championship titles, won in 2014 and 2015. Corey said: “Its been a tough time out with injury for so long, but thanks to my Personal Coach, Sue Bramble, and the support of British Gymnastics, the English Institute of Sports (EIS) Physio teams, both at Lilleshall and Bath University, and of course my family, I am now back to full fitness and happy to finally get some competitive routines under my belt.”

The prestigious British Championships was also the trial event for selecting the top gymnasts to represent Great Britain in both the junior and senior teams on the world stage, and Corey has now received his fourth call-up to compete for Great Britain at the 25th World Age Group Trampoline Championships 2017, held in Sofia, Bulgaria next month.

Competing at the World Age Group Championships requires self-funding at a cost of nearly £2,000, which includes a residential squad training camp, competition entry fees, flights and accommodation in Bulgaria, plus the new 2017 competition and training kit.

Corey continued: “To compete for Great Britain on the World stage and wear the flag on my kit is such an honour, and I will be doing my best to compete and make everyone who supports me proud!”

If you feel able to support Corey in any way, please contact him by email at: [email protected]