Laura Halford Takes Home Third Consecutive National Title

For a third year in a row, the 20-year-old British rhythmic gymnast Laura Halford has achieved another victory at the Welsh Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships held at the Sport Wales National Center last weekend.

She is now preparing for the British Championships, where she will aim to defend her continental title and win it for the fourth year in a row. 

In September, the 20-year-old athlete moved away from home to study at the university in Cardiff and she is now training full time. Just recently, she was featured as the cover girl in the most recent edition of the sport’s official digital magazine “Gymnast”.

The athlete told the magazine: “I think I have already improved as a gymnast. Having a structure to the week with ballet and strength and conditioning sessions has made me stronger which of course benefits my routines. 

“Away from training eight of us live together, four rhythmic girls and four artistic girls in a shared house next to the national centre. We have a house parent who looks after us.”

Due to her failure to acquire a qualification spot for the Rio Olympic Games in August, and with the absence of the World Championships this season, Halford said that her biggest target for this year is the British Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships that will take place in Liverpool at the end of July. 

“Of course, for many of us the long-term aim is the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.” She added.

Laura Halford is known for her impressive performances at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she won the team event silver with Wales and took home two individual bronze medals in the Ball and All-around event.

The 2016 Rhythmic British Championships will start on 28th of July and will continue until the 31st of July, 2016. The competition will take place at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.

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