Nathan Bailey says he exceeded his own expectations after he executed a brand-new set of routines to secure a silver medal at the FIG Trampoline World Cup in Minsk.
The 25-year-old scored 59.165 in the final to take second spot in a highly competitive field and was narrowly pipped by Belarusian Olympic champion Uladzislau Hancharou, who finished top of the podium with 60.755.
Competing in his first major international competition since competing at last year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Bailey’s latest international success adds to the bronze medal he won for Great Britain at the European Championships in Valladolid last year.
“My focus going into this World Cup event was on competing my brand-new routines, getting them out there for the first time and seeing how they would fair in the field,” said Bailey.
“I was mainly looking for completion of the routines to see how they compared to the other gymnasts.
“Walking into the arena for the final I could feel the adrenaline pumping. I was geared up and ready to cease the opportunity to compete my final routine of the day, I did just that and it felt amazing.”
There was more to celebrate for Bailey, who also made the synchronized final alongside Luke Strong, with the duo finishing in a respectable fifth place.
Meanwhile, Strong had to settle for 31
place in the individual standings, while current European champion Kat Driscoll finished in 29
.
Sportsbeat 2017