2015 British all-around champion Amy Tinkler is a 15 year old gymnast from Durham, England. She trains at South Durham Gym Club with coaches Rachael Wright and Nicola Preston. Tinkler was the junior British Champion in 2014 and went on to represent Great Britain at the 2014 European Championships where the team placed silver and as an individual she earned silver on floor and bronze on vault. 

For her first year as a senior, Tinkler has some big goals and exciting upgrades but is working on taking everything one day at a time. We recently spoke with Tinkler about her recent accomplishments and upcoming goals. 

 

What was it like winning the British Championships this year? 

 

To win the Senior British this year was amazing! Going into it I was hoping for a top 10 finish, so to come away with the AA tittle was incredible.  

 

What has been your favorite international competition to take part in?

 

The European championships has definitely been a highlight of my career so far, I don't really have a favourite - every competition has been an amazing experience and I have learnt something different from each one.  

 

How did it feel to compete in the floor finals at European Championships?

 

To compete in the European floor finals in my first senior international was an amazing experience.  I just wanted to go out there and enjoy it.

 

What is your favorite event to compete on?

 

I don't really have a favourite apparatus, however I love to compete my floor routine - I love to perform and show off to big crowds. I enjoy competing on every apparatus; I rarely get nervous, I just try to enjoy every competition.  

 

How has training been going and what will you be working towards next?

 

Training has been going very good.  At the minute I am training for World Championship trials later this year.  

 

Are you hoping to add in any upgrades this summer?

 

I am currently working new skills on all of the apparatus and playing with different skills seeing what will work in my routines.

 

Who do you admire most in the gymnastics world? 

 

I look up to all the Great Britain gymnasts.  To be able to train with them inspires me a lot.  

What are your goals for the remainder of 2015? 

 

I am hoping to compete at the world championships in October this year, but at the minute I am just taking it one step at a time.  I have world trials in the summer so I am hoping to go clean in them and see how it turns out. 

 

What are your longer term goals for your gymnastics career?

 

I would love to compete in another major senior international like the world championships and then obviously Rio would be amazing but I've got to take it day by day and not think too far ahead.

 

What advice would you give to younger gymnasts?

 

I would say just enjoy it! 

 

We also spoke with Tinkler’s coaches Rachael Wright and Nicola Preston who have known Tinkler since she started at South Durham Gym Club when she was only two years old. Wright and Preston talk about her recent accomplishments and what it’s like to coach Tinkler.

 

What is it like coaching Amy? 

 

Amy has been with the club since she started our pre-school sessions at the age of 2 – so you could say we know her pretty well!!  She is a pleasure to coach as always gives 100% - sometimes the hardest part is holding her back (ie. doing the ‘boring’ basics!) as she thrives on learning and attempting new skills! 

 

What are Amy's strengths as a gymnast? 

 

Her biggest strength must be her love to compete – the bigger the audience the better! – she rarely feels nerves and just gets excited to compete.  She enjoys all apparatus – especially floor.

 

What areas are you working on improving for her?

 

We are planning to upgrade on all 4 pieces, and also reducing her execution penalties.  Sorry top secret…Watch this space!

 

What was it like for you when Amy won the British Championships?

 

We have always set Amy targets that are in her control, not to win or to score higher than other gymnasts.  She had been training well prior to the British and had top-scored at each trial for the Europeans.  We knew she was capable of being in a medal position, so to see her crowned the Senior British Champion only a year after taking the title at Junior level was just fantastic and nothing less than she deserved. 

 

How have you seen Amy grow and mature as a gymnast, especially in her first couple meets as a senior?

 

She still seems too ‘young’ to be a Senior! I think her gymnastics ability allows her to hold her own now she has moved in to the senior ranks.  However, seeing her training alongside the other gymnasts at the Senior Europeans was surreal, and to qualify in the floor final amongst some of the biggest names in the business was incredible.


Related:
Amy Tinkler Floor Routine, 2014 WOGA Classic 
Amy Tinkler Bar Routine, 2014 WOGA Classic