Welsh gymnast Maisie Methuen  claimed the title of 2016 Junior All-Around Champion at the 2016 British Championships in Liverpool’s Echo Arena (April 8).

The 14-year-old from Pontypool claimed the top spot following a solid competition on all four apparatus – vault, beam, uneven bars and floor – improving on her result from this time last year when she claimed Silver at the 2015 British Championships.

Methuen secured a personal best all score of 54.600, smashing her highest score to date of 54.198 at the Welsh Championships in Cardiff in March.

Speaking to the BBC after being awarded with her medal and trophy, Maisie said: “It’s amazing to have won. I tried to stay calm throughout podium training and the competition went well. I’ve been working on improving the difficulty of my routines and I guess today that paid off! I’m really happy to be Junior Champion as it gives me the confidence to continue to train hard. I become Senior next year and want to be able to hold my own against the older girls.”

Methuen trains 30 hours a week at Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff under the watchful eye of National Women’s Coach, Tracey Skirton. “I’m thrilled for Maisie,” said Skirton, who was presented a commemorative plaque as coach to the 2016 Champion. “She kept her composure throughout and had a clean competition. I couldn’t ask for more!”

Methuen had a day’s rest before returning to the Echo Arena today (Sunday) to compete once again in all four individual apparatus finals.