Spelthorne Gymnastics is celebrating an extraordinary two weeks of international success after eight of its acrobatic gymnastics partnerships represented Great Britain at the 2026 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships in Pesaro, Italy.

The club entered this year’s World Championships with eight partnerships selected for the Great Britain team – the highest number of partnerships selected from any club in the United Kingdom. The selection followed an outstanding performance at the 2026 British Championships, where Spelthorne gymnasts secured five British Championship titles and three silver medals.

The World Championships saw Spelthorne athletes compete across the Youth, Junior and Senior categories, with the club once again demonstrating the strength and depth of its acrobatic gymnastics programme.

World Champions for Spelthorne

One of the biggest highlights of the championships came in the Youth Men’s Group, where Joseph Scotney, Henry Sharman, Morris Hyde and Faris Siddiqui produced a series of outstanding performances to become World Champions.

The quartet showed incredible strength, control, difficulty and precision throughout the competition. Their routines demonstrated the quality and consistency required to compete at the very highest level, and they remained composed under the pressure of a World Championship final.

Their final performance was a fantastic display of everything that makes acrobatic gymnastics so impressive, combining demanding balances and dynamic elements with excellent execution and presentation.

To finish the championships as World Champions is an extraordinary achievement for the four gymnasts and a hugely proud moment for Spelthorne Gymnastics.

World Silver for Harry & Diyan

The Youth Men’s Pair of Harry Ponsonby and Diyan Patel also enjoyed an exceptional World Championships, securing a silver medal for Great Britain.

The pair delivered confident and technically demanding performances throughout the competition, showcasing their strength, partnership and ability to perform under the pressure of a World Championship final.

Their journey to the podium culminated in a superb final routine, earning them the title of World Silver Medallists.

A World Championship medal at such a young age is a remarkable achievement and one that provides an exciting foundation for the pair’s future in the sport.

Strong Performances Across the Spelthorne Team

The success in Pesaro extended well beyond the medal-winning performances, with all eight Spelthorne partnerships gaining valuable experience on the world stage.

Oskar & Eva, competing in the Youth Mixed Pair category, represented Great Britain at their first World Championships following an outstanding season that saw them crowned British Champions.

The pair performed with confidence throughout the competition and gained invaluable experience competing against the very best partnerships from around the world.

The Youth Women’s Group of Abi, Amelia & Darcie also represented GBR in Pesaro. Having secured the British Championship title earlier in the season, their selection and appearance at the World Championships marked another significant milestone in their developing careers.

The trio performed with commitment and determination, gaining valuable international experience that will contribute to their continued development within the sport.

For Junior Mixed Pair Fraser & Evie, selection for the World Championships followed their British Championship title and an impressive season of development.

The pair performed some beautiful routines throughout the qualification rounds, demonstrating their growing confidence, partnership and artistry on the international stage. Their appearance at the World Championships was a fantastic achievement and an important step in their continued development.

The Junior Women’s Group of Gemma Biddle, Lexie Biddle and Sophie Noyce also produced a fantastic World Championship performance, finishing an impressive 5th in the world.

The trio demonstrated consistency and quality throughout the competition, securing their place amongst the world’s leading junior women’s groups. Their fifth-place finish represents an outstanding achievement at a World Championship and is another result that highlights the strength of Spelthorne’s junior programme.

Senior Success on the World Stage

The Senior World Championships provided another memorable chapter for Spelthorne Gymnastics, with both of the club’s senior partnerships reaching finals.

6th in the World for Olivia, Isabel & Dollie

Olivia, Isabel and Dollie, competing as the Senior Women’s Group, produced a fantastic championship and reached the Combined Final – an incredible achievement at senior international level.

The trio first took to the floor in the Dynamic Final, where they certainly did not disappoint. Their routine showcased an exceptional combination of skill, strength, precision and difficulty, with the girls performing with confidence and composure on one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Their performance earned them an impressive 5th place in the Dynamic Final.

The girls then returned to the competition floor for the Combined Final, producing another strong performance to finish 6th overall in the world.

Reaching a Senior World Championship Combined Final is a huge achievement in itself, and finishing 6th in the world represents an outstanding result for the trio.

The girls demonstrated throughout the championships not only their technical ability but also their determination and resilience, proudly representing both Spelthorne Gymnastics and Great Britain.

Bronze for Ralph, Josh, Owen & Sidney

For the Senior Men’s Group, Ralph, Josh, Owen and Sidney produced an equally memorable championship.

The quartet delivered a superb performance in the Balance Final, keeping everyone watching on the edge of their seats.

Their routine showcased huge amounts of strength, control, balance and technical difficulty, with the boys demonstrating the trust and precision required to perform demanding skills at Senior World Championship level.

Their performance earned them a fantastic Bronze Medal, making them Senior World Championship Bronze Medallists.

But there was more to come.

Returning to the competition floor for the Combined Final, the boys produced a routine that was a real crowd-pleaser. Their performance was packed with charisma, artistry and personality, allowing them to showcase another side of their gymnastics while maintaining the high level of technical skill required at this level.

Their Combined Final performance earned them an impressive 5th place overall at the Senior World Championships.

To finish fifth in the world, alongside a World Championship Bronze Medal from the Balance Final, represents an incredible achievement for the quartet and a fitting conclusion to their World Championship campaign.

A Huge Team Achievement

While the medals and placings provide a measure of the athletes’ success, Spelthorne Gymnastics is keen to emphasise that the achievements in Pesaro represent far more than the performances of the gymnasts on the competition floor.

The World Championships are the culmination of years of training, commitment and development, supported by coaches, families, volunteers, judges, supporters and the wider Spelthorne Gymnastics community.

Adam McAssey, Coaching Director at Spelthorne Gymnastics, said:

“We are incredibly proud of every gymnast who represented Spelthorne and Great Britain in Pesaro. To have eight partnerships selected for the World Championships was an incredible achievement for our club, and their performances have made us exceptionally proud.

“Congratulations to our World Champions, World Championship medal winners and finalists. Joseph, Henry, Morris and Faris were exceptional in becoming World Champions, while Harry and Diyan showed tremendous composure to secure silver. Our senior groups also produced fantastic performances, with Olivia, Isabel and Dollie finishing sixth overall and Ralph, Josh, Owen and Sidney winning a Balance bronze medal before finishing fifth in the Combined Final.

“This has truly been a big team effort. Our gymnasts, coaches, families, volunteers and supporters have all played a part in this success, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support.”

Eight Spelthorne Partnerships – One GBR Team

Youth

Oskar Dukta & Eva Lawrence – Mixed Pair
Harry Ponsonby & Diyan Patel -Men’s Pair – World Silver Medallists
Abi Nickless, Amelia Malthouse & Darcie Howes – Women’s Group
Henry Sharman, Joseph Scotney, Morris Hyde & Faris Siddiqui – Men’s Group -World Champions
Junior

Fraser Kerr-Jones & Evie Jaggers – Mixed Pair
Gemma Biddle, Lexie Biddle & Sophie Noyce – Women’s Group – 5th in the World
Senior

Ralph White Josh Lee, Owen Nickless & Sidney Baker – Men’s Group – Balance Bronze Medallists & 5th in the World combined Finals
Olivia Norfolk, Isabel Norfolk & Dollie Holt – Women’s Group – 5th in the Dynamic Final, 6th in the World Combined Finals
A remarkable two weeks for Spelthorne Gymnastics – with eight partnerships proudly representing Great Britain on the world stage.

The club would like to congratulate every one of its gymnasts, as well as the entire GBR team, and thank the coaches, families, volunteers and supporters who have helped make this World Championship experience possible.

What a two weeks for Spelthorne Gymnastics.