Gymnast secures a top ten win

Mercedes Miladinovic competing in the 2012 British Espoir Challenge Cup

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Gymnast, Mercedes Miladinovic competed in the 2012 British Espoir Challenge Cup and managed to win a top ten place.

Mercedes is a member of the Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club, who regularly compete in regional and national competitions.

The 13-year-old competed in this event at the Guilford Spectrum and accumulated a total overall score of 43.55 marks, to take 9th place overall in this prestigious annual event.

Cheryl Gharbi, Head Coach and Personal Coach to Mercedes said: “Mercedes was over the moon to have taken 9th place in this competition. Her high positioning was due to a highly improved performance from last year.”

An amazing vault secured a 2nd placing on the podium at this National Championships with an impressive 12.80 score, and along with an 8.05 (bars), 11.10 (beam), and 11.60 (floor) stands her in good stead for next year as she moves up into the junior ranks, with this valuable experience behind her.

Mercedes has received an invite to train with the England squad at the end of the month, in Aldershot.

Mercedes has six competitions left this year, including both county and regional competitions.

Ms Gharbi said: “Every member of the club begins to compete as soon as they are ready, allowing them to practice from an early age and develop over the years. They are thrown straight in at the deep end.”

The club has been running for 40 years next year, and dedicated Ms Gharbi will have also been at the club for 40 years. Ms Gharbi added: “We have a limited facility and space; we are actually the smallest club in the North West. We would love to expand, but this is cost dependent.”