By Carl Field
Gemma Frizelle has been selected to compete for Great Britain at the 2021 Rhythmic European Championships to be staged in Varna, Bulgaria, between 10-13 June.
Carmarthen-born Frizelle, who turned 23 last Sunday, was part of Team Wales at the last Commonwealth Games on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018 and is a contender for Birmingham next year.
Frizelle, who is attached to Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, also competed at the Rhythmic World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, three years ago.
“I am so pleased to have been selected for the upcoming European Championships,” she said.
“It has been a really difficult year without having any competitions to train towards, so it’s really encouraging that the work I have done during this time has paid off.
“I can’t wait to finally be able to get back to international competitions and represent Great Britain at this prestigious event.”
Based in Cardiff, the former Cathedral School, Llandaff and Cardiff Metropolitan University student is also currently studying for her masters in psychology at Cardiff University.
Nia Evans, Welsh Gymnastics Rhythmic National Coach, said: “I’m really proud of Gemma and her commitment to training through this very difficult period.
“We set our sights on European Championship selection once we knew the date and we are just really grateful and excited to be preparing for a major event again.”
Also set to compete in the individual competition alongside Frizelle will be Marfa Ekimova from West London and Alice Leaper from Fylde Coast.
Britain will also be represented in the group event, with Emily Austin, Rosina Cheale, Isabella Mason-Iran, Atanaska Kirilova, Phillipa Museva and Isabella Rittman, all from i-Star Academy, due to take to the competition floor.
Thank you! 😄 https://t.co/w0n3aGLcBH
— Gemma Frizelle (@gemmafrizelle) May 7, 2021
James Thomas, British Gymnastics Performance Director, said: “Congratulations to all of the gymnasts and coaches selected for what will no doubt be a fantastic event in Bulgaria.
“It’s a testament to the hard work the gymnasts – supported by great coaches and clubs – have shown throughout what has been a difficult period without competitions.
“It’s great to see more events returning to the gymnastics calendar, and it provides another opportunity for British gymnasts to proudly compete at a major championship.”
This year’s Rhythmic European Championships will be the 37th staging of the event.