10 GYMNASTICS: Gold for Michelle on Hartford's 'dream day'
What? British Vets 2016
When? August 06-07
Where? Lilleshall National Sports Centre
Michelle Oakes surprised even herself in the summer by winning a gold medal on her return to competition almost two decades since her previous attempt.
The Hartford School of Gymnastics coach was a victor on trampoline in her category – over 40s women’s novice – at the national veterans’ championship in Shropshire.
She completed two clean routines on her favourite piece of apparatus to finish first, ahead of Rachel Yeates (Altair Trampoline Club) by a sizeable margin.
“I’m still a bit stunned if I’m honest – I was more worried about not falling off,” she told the Guardian.
How we reported it: http://bit.ly/2ieY3gC
How we Tweeted it:
First shout-out today is for @HartfordSOG coach @MichelleOakes2, a winner in her category on trampoline at British Vets #BGVets2016 💚
— Andrew Simpson (@simmo_on_sport) August 7, 2016
How she Tweeted it:
"It's the final countdown!" ..... Da da daa da, da-da d d daa.... Hope I can trampoline better than I can sing!
— Michelle Oakes (@MichelleOakes2) August 5, 2016
Our sports writer remembers:
“I swapped texts with Michelle on the Sunday evening, but I think she was still in shock at what had happened! I called her the next day, and she was at the beach with daughter April.
"I learned then that it was the shortest comeback in history, because she told me she’d retired.
“I’d discovered from visits to Cosgrove Business Park, where Hartford School of Gymnastics is based, that Michelle had entered after being encouraged to by Emma Frith – one of the club’s senior gymnasts who reached her own personal landmark the same weekend by competing at pro level for the first time in the over 18s women’s artistic all-around.
“A women of her word, Michelle kept her promise to take part.
“It’s a moment she won’t forget, I’m sure.”
From left, Hartford School of Gymnastics' Michelle Oakes, Megan Palmer, Kathryn Sissons, Emma Frith and coach David Smith
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