Five breakout stars of the 2023 European Games

Krakow 2023 04 Jul 23

From diving's Matty Lee to boxing's Lauren Price, the European Games has often been the catalyst for Olympic success.

All three editions of the Games have taken place just one year before an Olympic summer, with athletes starting to reach their full potential.

Now, just one year out from Paris 2024, here are five breakout stars from the 2023 European Games.

Reilly strikes gold

Winning Team GB's first gold of a Games is always pretty special, but Kieran Reilly certainly made it memorable.

The BMX whiz kid from Newcastle soared to the European Games title in Poland with a jaw-dropping 92.33 points in his second run.

Reilly had to settle for silver at last year's European Championships in Munich, behind French rival Anthony Jeanjean.

But this time, the cyclist reversed the score, topping Jeanjean's performance and finally striking gold.

The 21-year-old rocketed into the headlines at the beginning of 2022 after becoming the first person to land the unbelievable 'Triple-Flair' trick.

And standing on top of the European Games podium, Reilly was joined by teammate and Olympic bronze medallist Declan Brookes who clinched another bronze in Poland.

Bent-Ashmeil and Rollinson: The perfect pair

Dynamic diving duo Desharne Bent-Ashmeil and Amy Rollinson sure know how to announce themselves on the international stage.

The teenagers soared to a glorious gold in the women's synchronised 3m springboard, clinching a total of 279.90 over five dives.

Starting off slow, Rollinson and Bent-Ashmeil became consistent performers throughout the final, taking advantage of their competitors' mistakes and grabbing gold.

Rollinson picked up bronze on the individual 1m springboard at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, finishing fourth with Bent-Ashmeil in women's synchronised 3m springboard.

But a year later, the dream came true, and the pair stood atop the podium in Poland as European Games champions.

Cunningham crowned champ

Taekwondo heavyweight Caden Cunningham roared to gold in Poland.

The 20-year-old from Huddersfield defeated North Macedonia's Dejan Georgievski in the men's +87kg final to clinch the title, joining teammate and double Olympic champion Jade Jones on the top step.

Cunningham has made his name heard as one of the only British heavyweights on the international circuit, winning gold at the 2023 Romanian Grand Prix earlier this year.

With a sparring partner like Bianca Cook on his side, Cunningham often has his work cut out for him in the gym, learning from the two-time Olympic medallist in both style and mindset.

At the 2023 European Games, Cunningham proved his strength and skill, brushing aside some of the top ranked taekwondo athletes on his quest for glory.

And with Paris just one year away, the Manchester-based Cunningham is fixated on going one step further and grabbing a spot on the plane to the Olympics instead.

Read more: The secret life of Caden Cunningham

History-makers Tomblin and Crass 

Ranjuo Tomblin and Beatrice Crass made history by just diving into the pool in Poland.

Tomblin became the first-ever man to represent Team GB in artistic swimming as the duo took to the water in mixed duet at the European Games.

On just the second day of competition, Crass and Tomblin won Team GB's first medal of the 2023 Games with bronze in the mixed duet technical.

The best friends, who began competing together just last year, scored over 200 points to bag a medal and reach headlines once more.

Two days later the pair were back and better than ever in Poland, clinching a second bronze in the mixed duet free.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, men will be able to compete in artistic swimming for the first time, with a maximum of two men allowed in the team event.

But with increased success on the international circuit, Tomblin and Crass hope that their Olympic dreams will eventually come true as they aim to compete for Team GB once more at LA 2028.

Read More: Meet Ranjuo Tomblin

Take a bow Penny Healey

With a pet emu and two European Games titles, Penny Healey really has it all.

The 18-year-old archer shot to two gold medals in Poland, with victory in the women's team and individual recurve events.

Healey first made her name with a win at the 2022 World Indoor Series in Las Vegas before 2022 Antalya World Cup team gold with Bryony Pitman and Jaspreet Sagoo.

A year later, at the 2023 Antalya event, the TikTok dancer catapulted up the rankings to world number one and cemented her name as the one to beat.

In Poland, Healey topped the rankings again with team victory alongside teammates Pitman and Sagoo before taking the individual crown just three days later, defeating Spain's Elia Canales 6-2 in the final.

Read more: Meet Penny Healey

Sportsbeat 2023

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