Laura Halford

Laura Halford
— Gymnast —
Country represented	Wales
Born	(1996-02-25) 25 February 1996 England
Discipline	Rhythmic gymnastics
Club	Esprit
Medal record Competitor for  Wales Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow Team 2014 Glasgow All-around 2014 Glasgow Ball

Laura Halford (born 25 February 1996) is a British rhythmic gymnast from Cricklade. Halford is a three times senior British Champion, won in (2013, 2014, 2015), and two times Junior British Champion. She has also represented Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.^[1]

Gymnastic career

Halford first began gymnastics at the age of six, and her natural flexibility saw her gravitate towards rhythmic gymnastics.^[2] By the age of nine she was representing both Britain and Wales, qualifying for the latter through her Welsh father.^[2][3] At the age of ten she won her first junior British title.^[2] At the age of 12 Halford was recognized by her district council as an aspiring junior sportsperson and was awarded a grant to help fund her sporting career.^[4] Halford, who trains out of Wiltshire club, Esprit Gymnastics in Swindon, also travels to Cardiff three times a week to train with the Welsh team, where her team mate was British Champion Frankie Jones.^[5]

In 2011 Halford became British junior Champion. In 2012, her first year competing as a senior, in the absence of Frankie Jones, she was favourite to take the British Championship held at Fenton Manor Sport Complex.^[6] Her overall score of 55.599 was enough to push her team mate Stephanie Sherlock into second place and give Halford the title.^[6] The same year she also took the Wales national title.

In preparation for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Halford and Wales team-mate Nikara Jenkins travelled to Tartu, Estonia to take part in the Miss Valentine Gymnastic Competition in order to practice their new routines in a competitive setting. Although not placing highly their coach believed the experience was valuable.^[7] Halford's build-up to the Commonwealth Games continued through 2013 when she won the invitational senior Millennium Cup in Vancouver, Canada.^[8]

In 2014 Halford successfully defended her Welsh title, also taking gold in the individual ball event.^[9] A few days later she travelled to Stoke to defend her British Championship title. Her score of 61.465 across the ball, hoop, ribbon and clubs saw her retain her crown, which also saw the return of Frankie Jones to the competition.^[10] In June 2014 it was announced that Halford had been selected for the Wales team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. ^[11] At Glasgow she was entered for four individual events, the ball, hoop, ribbon and all-around; while she was joined by Jones and Jenkins to compete for the team all-around event.^[12] On the first day of the Commonwealth Games, in the team all-around event, Wales won silver having led for much of the competition.^[13] On day two, she entered the individual all-around, scoring 56.225 to finish third to take bronze, while team-mate Jones finished ahead of her in silver position.^[12] In day three Halford came eighth in ribbon, fifth in hoop, but secured a third medal by taking a bronze in the ball.^[12] Halford competed at the 2014 World Championships in Izmir, Turkey placing 44th in the all-around qualifications.

In 2015, Halford competed at the 2015 Lisboa World Cup finishing 33rd in the all-around. In August, Halford finished 36th in all-around at the 2015 Sofia World Cup. In September 9–13, Halford competed at the 2015 World Championships in Stuttgart finishing 73rd in the All-around qualifications and did not advance into the Top 24 finals.^[14]

References