At the recent Junior European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rimini, Shantae-Eve Amankwaah represented Great Britain alongside Ellie Lewis, Izzy Priestley, Jemima Taylor and Tahlia Wyatt, finishing 5th All-Around and in the Team event, and Shantae made the Uneven Bars and Floor finals. In March, Shantae became the English and British champion, having competed at both the English Championships and British Championships, where she came away with four Golds at each competition in the All-Around and on Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor. For Shantae’s first international competition representing Team GB, she competed at Top Gym Tournament in Belgium in November 2023. Shantae trains at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club, having started there at six years old, and at the end of this year, she is hoping to compete upgraded routines at club team competitions. We caught up with Shantae, who told us about representing Team GB at the Junior European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rimini, becoming 4x English and 4x British champion earlier this year and training with Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club.

How did you find the experience competing at this year’s Junior European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rimini and representing Team GB at a major international competition?

It was great to have the opportunity to compete in Rimini. I really enjoyed the experience of a major international competition for the first time.

How was it finding out you’d been selected for the Junior European Championships team and how did you prepare for the Championships?

I was really excited to have been selected for this competition, as it’s what I’ve been working towards. To prepare, I had a prep camp at the National Training Centre with the team, a week prior to the event.

You achieved 5th place in the All-Around competition and 5th in the Team event alongside Ellie Lewis, Izzy Priestley, Jemima Taylor and Tahlia Wyatt, how did this feel?

It felt amazing to have come 5th All-Around and it was really emotional to have come 5th as a team as everyone did really well.

What was it like qualifying for and competing in the Uneven Bars and Floor finals?

I was super pleased to have qualified for Bars and Floor finals as I love to compete them both. I really enjoyed competing alongside the other countries in the finals. There was a great atmosphere in the arena.

At the beginning of March, you became the junior English All-Around, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor champion, how was it coming away with four Golds at this competition?

I had been working really hard at the gym, so for all the hard work to pay off was great. It was also good to see my progression from the previous year.

Later that month, you competed at the Junior British Championships, again winning Gold in the All-Around and on Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor, how did you feel becoming 4x Junior British champion this year?

This has been my highlight of my gymnastics journey so far. I had a great first day at the competition, winning the All-Around title. I then returned two days later for the apparatus finals where I put in confident performances. I really enjoyed competing and was extremely grateful to have come away with another three Gold medals.

What do you enjoy most about competing at the English and British Championships and what are they like to be part of?

It’s great to be a part of these competitions. I love the atmosphere at the British Championships and love competing my new skills for the first time of the year at the English Championships.

Can you tell us about your time at the Top Gym Tournament in Belgium in November 2023?

Top Gym was my first Great Britain international and was such a good experience. I was in a team with Abi Martin, which I really enjoyed as she had experienced international competitions before. Ellie Lewis and Scarlett Bullock also competed. We all get on really well.

When did you start gymnastics and was it something you always wanted to do?

I started artistic gymnastics when I was six years old at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club. I always loved jumping around and could never sit still. As soon as I started gymnastics, I loved it.

Do you have any current favourite gymnasts to watch and were there any you particularly enjoyed watching when you were younger?

At the moment, I love to watch Kaylia Nemour, especially on Bars. I had the honour of training in the same gym as Claudia Fragapane and she has always inspired me.

How is it training at Bristol Hawks Gymnastics Club and what does a typical training day look like for you?

I love training at Bristol Hawks. It’s like my second home. I have such a nice relationship with the gymnasts and coaches. I train five times a week and my program varies day to day. I’m currently working on new skills and connections, ready to compete near the end of the year.

Have you been given any advice over your time as a gymnast so far that has stuck with you?

Yes, the journey is filled with ups and downs but you have to remain focused on the end goal.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to spend time with my friends and family. I enjoy going to watch football when I can, especially Manchester United.

Do you have any competitions coming up that you can tell us about or that you are targeting?

I have club team competitions at the end of the year such as British Teams and the Rushmoor Rose Bowl where I’m hoping to compete my upgraded routines.

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