A chiropractic student from Teesside University represented Team GBR at a major gymnastics competition in Azerbaijan.
Lewis Westwood, 19, from Stockton-on-Tees, was selected to represent the nation at the World Age Group Gymnastics Championships after rigorous training and qualifying competitions.
He formed part of the 17-21 men’s tumbling team at the event held in Baku.
Lewis placed 15th in the international championships, with a score of 61.3 from judges.
He was praised for a good first pass then a small mistake led to a little stumble which cost him points.
Lewis has been involved in gymnastics from a young age, and it has been his dream to represent Team GBR.
His performance in Azerbaijan was the second time Lewis has competed for the national team, after representing Great Britain in the Loule Cup in Portugal in 2016 when he was just 14 years old.
‘It felt amazing to be out there representing my country, especially after so many trials and setbacks over the years,’ Lewis said of his achievement.
‘It didn’t work out how I wanted it to, particularly as I’d performed so strongly in the training in the run-up to the competition, but it means more now because it took me so long to get there.
“I’M MORE HUNGRY FOR IT NOW I’VE GOT THIS FAR AND I’M RARING TO GET OUT THERE TO GIVE IT ANOTHER GO AND SHOW WHAT I CAN DO.”
– Lewis Westwood
‘I was buzzing to be selected for Team GBR again and I am really proud of what I achieved.’
Lewis hopes to represent the country at the world championships again next year.
He added: ‘I’m more hungry for it now I’ve got this far and I’m raring to get out there to give it another go and show what I can do.’
Lewis is in the second year of the MSci (Hons) Chiropractic course at Teesside University’s School of Health & Life Sciences.
He said: ‘My background in gymnastics definitely led me to pursuing a career in chiropractic.
‘I’m really interested in the musculoskeletal system and it suits what I want to do moving forward.’
Daniel Moore, Course Leader for MSci (Hons) Chiropractic, said: ‘We are incredibly proud of Lewis and his fantastic achievements, both in and out of the classroom.
‘Representing Team GBR is a dream come true for so many people and he has performed extremely well to get to where he is now. We wish him every luck in qualifying again next year.’
