With the competition season well underway, three local gymnasts competed in the 2021 Malta International last weekend.

A group of three Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club members, namely sisters Tara and Chloe Donnelly together with their younger team-mate Lucy Worthington and their coach Valery Molchanov, travelled to the warmer climate of Malta to compete in the 2021 edition of the competition.

This renowned annual event sees gymnasts compete from a number of European countries, with this year’s line-up featuring entrants from France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Malta as well as the Isle of Man.

Having been cancelled in 2020 as a result of the pandemic, there was renewed excitement following the announcement that the event would go ahead this year, being one of the few international events available to gymnasts in 2021.

Tara, Chloe and Lucy displayed confidence and well-choreographed routines as they competed in the Senior FIG Women’s Artistic event.

All the commitment and hard work paid off as success followed, with Tara taking the senior women’s all around championship title and the individual gold medals on vault, beam and floor plus bronze on bars, also gaining two Commonwealth Games consideration scores.

After a strong performance on all four pieces, Chloe proudly took to the podium to take the all around bronze medal and individual silver medal on vault.

Having sustained an injury on floor which prevented her from finishing the competition, Lucy’s strong performances up to that point secured her the individual silver medal on bars and bronze medal on floor.

Collectively, their overall scores resulted in them taking the silver trophy for the women’s team event.

All the achievements are a tribute to the hard work and coaching expertise by their coach Valery Molchanov and the Ellan Vannin Gymnastics Club, therefore the girls are grateful for their ongoing commitment to them.

Special thanks from Tara also goes to Annexio IoM for its personal sponsorship, while Chloe and Lucy wish to thank Isle of Man Sport for their ongoing support.

Lucy is further grateful to Elizabeth Clucas Charitable Trust for its personal sponsorship.