Whitlock, Wilson and Bevan shine at British Gymnastics Championships

A host of Olympic talent was on show at Liverpool's Echo Arena as Max Whitlock, Brinn Bevan and Nile Wilson all won British gymnastics titles.

Bevan took all-around glory while Whitlock reigned supreme on his favoured apparatus of the pommel and Wilson dominated the rings, parallel bars and high bar.

In the women’s event Kelly Simm took the all-around crown, ahead of Rio floor bronze medallist Amy Tinkler, with their individual apparatus finals set for Sunday.

For Bevan it was a first all-around national title and came thanks to a consistent set of performances that saw him score 84.400 points – 1.400 ahead of Dominick Cunningham.

“It’s been amazing,” said the 20-year-old. “The last year has been really difficult for me, as I injured myself last year and it’s been a long year getting myself back in to action.

“It’s just great that the performance has paid off. I put my heart and soul in to it and for it to pay off on the day is unbelievable.”

Bevan finished tenth on the floor, which was won by Frank Baines with Whitlock second and Wilson third.

But was highly-placed on the five other apparatus with third on the pommel, fifth on the rings, second on the vault, third on parallel bars and third on the high bar.

Double Olympic champion Whitlock chose not to contest the all-around but still had a successful day, winning on the pommel and picking up silver on the floor.

While Wilson won a hat-trick of gold medals on the rings, parallel bars and high bar – while also collecting bronze on the floor.

Overall honours in the women’s event went to Kelly Simm, with the 22-year-old scoring 53.400 from her four routines, beating Tinkler into second place.

Simm finished third on the vault, second on the uneven bars, fourth on the beam and tenth on the floor to beat Tinkler by just 0.350 points.

“I actually can’t believe it, it’s absolutely mad,” she said. “I’m so happy to do four clean performances and it really hasn’t sunk in at all.

“It’s crazy! Of course, it’s always a dream [to be British champion], but no, never really did I think it was possible.

“There are so many great girls in Britain and it’s such a close competition between us all. I think it was four steady performances.

“My vault score was good, and I knew when I’d done a good bars routine, but never did I think I would win.

“Some of my coaches were adding the scores up, but me and my other coach Keith were oblivious, we didn’t look at the scores.”

Tinkler registered the best score on the floor and will have another chance on Sunday to win a British title as the women's individual apparatus honours are up for grabs.

Sportsbeat 2018