When Luke Whitehouse made history as the first British man to win three consecutive European floor titles, his first instinct was to search for those who made it possible.
The Halifax native's heroics at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Leipzig meant he became the first man to achieve the feat since Italy's Franco Menichelli between 1961-1965 and he led a British one-two in the event, with Harry Hepworth clinching silver.
Their efforts capped off a memorable campaign for British gymnasts that also yielded team gold and a first-ever mixed team silver for Jake Jarman and Ruby Evans.
“It's still a bit surreal,” reflected Whitehouse. “We went out there with a new team and didn't know how well we'd gel but we worked really well together and the preparation was incredible.
“To go out there and get the team gold and to win the European title in the floor exercise for a third consecutive year and create history is something I still can't quite believe.
“There's a really good video out there of me celebrating with them and the national coaches as well.
“There's a moment after my floor routine where the organisers are trying to get me away to the podium and I see Jonas screaming and shouting so I run over and jump over him.
“We see each other put the hard work in day in day out so to get that success alongside them is really special.
“We're quite a young team. Before going into these Europeans it was me, Jake and Harry who were the most senior guys and the ones with the most experience which felt weird but we've now done it and it just makes the whole experience even better.”
Never before 🤯
— Team GB (@TeamGB) May 30, 2025
Luke Whitehouse has just become the first British male gymnast to win three consecutive European titles 🥇🥇🥇
He storms to GOLD on the floor, with teammate Harry Hepworth clinching SILVER 👏
📸 @BritGymnastics pic.twitter.com/fBgV2U7CYD
Whitehouse's triumph marks a statement of intent after missing out on medalling at Paris 2024.
With LA 2028 still three years away, the 23-year-old has set his sights on not only making the best of the upcoming Olympic cycle but enjoying every moment of it.
He added: “What we did at the Europeans is a really good start to the cycle so hopefully the team can keep buzzing.
“I always try to go to competitions and enjoy the experience and that team final in Leipzig was the most enjoyable competition I've had.
“The dream is a gold medal in LA but it's just taking it day-by-day, competition by competition and enjoying the journey.
“Sometimes you can get fixated on medals and the end result and when you do get that result, you're like 'What's next'?
“Whereas if you enjoy the journey you can look back on it with a lot more pride and happiness.”
Champions of Europe 👑
— Team GB (@TeamGB) May 28, 2025
Olympians Jake Jarman, Harry Hepworth and Luke Whitehouse combined with major champ debutants Jonas Rushworth and Jamie Lewis for men’s team gold in Leipzig 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Oeknmp9Z3o
The Yorkshireman is only 23 but he already has one eye on a future away from competition.
Alongside his commitments to British gymnastics, he currently studies Exercise Therapy at Leeds Beckett University
Whitehouse said: "It's always been something I want to do and it fits really well with gymnastics, learning about the body and how it moves and things like biomechanics.
“It does get difficult sometimes but the university gives me all the support that I need if I need extensions for deadlines and stuff.
“I'm in my final year but I've split it in half so my dissertation will be next year. I don't know what it'll be about yet but I'm interested in ACL injuries to women in gymnastics.
“It'll be interesting to look at compared to something like women's football and there's been a few in gymnastics already.
“I also want to open my own club to give back to the community. Gymnastics has been so important to my life and it has taught me so much.”
Sportsbeat 2025