Laura Halford
| Laura Halford | |
|---|---|
| Country represented |  Great Britain  Wales |
| Born | 25 February 1996 England |
| Discipline | Rhythmic gymnastics |
| Club | Esprit Gymnastics, Swindon |
Medal record | |
Laura Halford (born 25 February 1996) is a British
Gymnastic career
Halford 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, travels to Cardiff three times a week to train with the Welsh team, where her teammate 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 teammate Stephani 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.
In 2015, Halford competed at the
In 2016, Halford competed at the
In 2017, on May 5–7, Halford competed at the
References
- ^ "Gymnast Profiles:Laura Halford". british-gymnastics.org. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ a b c Peake, Tim (October 2013). "Commonwealth Countdown: Laura Halford" (e-zine). Gymnast e-zine. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Hall, Danny (21 May 2014). "Rhythmic Gymnastics: Laura Halford retains British Championship title". wiltsglosstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Hall, Danny (4 February 2009). "Nine aspiring Olympians have each been given a £1000 grant by North Wilts District Council". wiltsglosstandard.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Top rhythmic gymnast Laura Halford ready for 2014". british-gymnastics.org. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Gymnastics: Laura Halford wins British rhythmic title". walesonline.co.uk. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Welsh Gymnasts Compete at Miss Valentine". welshgymnastics.org. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Medal Haul for Welsh Rhythmic Gymnasts at Millennium Cup". welshgymnastics.org. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Commonwealth Games 2014: Laura Halford retains Welsh rhythmic gymnastics title as Olympian Francesca Jones wins three golds". walesonline.co.uk. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Laura Halford defends Senior Rhythmic British title". british-gymnastics.org. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Warren, Andy (10 June 2014). "Glasgow awaits for Halford as she gets Wales call for Commonwealths". thisiswiltshire.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "Laura Halford". glasgow2014.com. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Mogford, Sarah (24 July 2014). "Team Wales rhythmic gymnasts make history by winning first ever team medal". teamwales.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "2015 World Championships All-around results". Intlgymnast. 11 September 2015.
- ^ "35th WORLDS of RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS 2017". gymmedia. 3 September 2017.