TAVISTOCK gymnast Ruby Stacey joined four other members of Great Britain Junior Squad who travelled to the Czech Republic to compete in the Olympic Hopefuls Cup last week.  

Day one was the all around competition where the 13 year-old was part of the Great Britain team that won the silver medal, just missing gold by .45 of a mark.

The next day was the finals competition.  Ruby did a beautiful bar routine and was rewarded by first place, obtaining the gold medal and cup. She said it was a great honour to be stood on the podium while the national anthem was played.  The next final for Ruby was the floor routine where she placed third, winning the bronze medal.

All in all this was a very successful competition for Ruby in her first international competition representing Great Britain.  She was extremely happy to return to Tavistock with a medal in each colour.

Ruby, a member of Plymouth Swallows Gymnastic Club, also recently travelled to Aldershot to enter an international gymnastic competition. 

The Tavistock youngster was part of the South West team who won the coveted Rushmoor Rosebowl Cup.  There were 98 competitors entered into this competition across all age groups and seven other countries.

Ruby was placed fifth and one of only three gymnasts to be entered in to three finals on the Sunday.

Her favourite piece has always been the uneven bars where she was placed second, missing the gold medal by 0.1 of a mark.  She earned fifth place on beam and seventh on floor.

The talented gymnast is now back training to prepare for the English Competition followed by the British Championships both in March next year.