IN a little under 50 days the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships will get underway in Glasgow. A record 615 gymnasts from 91 countries will descend on the SSE Hydro from October 23 until
November 1.
It will be the highest profile sporting event on Scottish soil since the 2014 Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup last year. To mark the occasion, photographers Alistair Devine and Stuart Gray have shot a series of striking portraits of the sport’s top competitors against iconic Glasgow
landmarks.
MAX WHITLOCK
Max Whitlock represents one of Great Britain’s strongest prospects for the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships. The 22-year-old had a successful 2014 in which he became European pommel horse champion, won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and took individual all-around silver at the World Gymnastics Championships in Nanning, China. Whitlock was also a double Olympic bronze medallist at London 2012.
After battling back from glandular fever earlier this year, he is keen to shine on the world stage.
Where did you learn your sport?
I was seven and went to a club in Hemel Hempstead until I was 12. I then moved to South Essex Gymnastics Club where I have been ever since. I did swimming before I took up gymnastics. A friend suggested I should give gymnastics a try as it was in the same sports centre. I was nine when I had to choose which to pursue. I’m happy I chose gymnastics.
Proudest moment to date?
It is hard to pick one. The Olympics is a massive standout. To be able to do your first Olympic Games in front of a home crowd is quite rare. Up there with that, is my world silver medal last year because I never thought I would achieve that so early on in my career.
Biggest adversity overcome?
Funnily enough, it was also last year competing at the World Gymnastics Championships in Nanning. In qualification I had quite a few mistakes which meant I didn’t make any finals.
I was fortunate enough to get a second chance at the all-around final due to my team-mate Nile Wilson having to withdraw with an injury. That was a big learning curve but I went into the final feeling lucky to be there. That lifted the pressure and I was able to go out there and enjoy it.
You won three golds at the Commonwealth Games in the SSE Hydro. Are you looking forward to competing there again?
Definitely. Hopefully competing in the same arena could work in our advantage. The support was amazing last summer. We’ve got a tough draw so the home crowd will be important.
How vital is this championships in terms of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio?
It is the main qualification so we need to do well to qualify for the Olympics. Ahead of London 2012, the World Gymnastics Championships didn’t go quite to plan and we had to do the test event in order to qualify. Hopefully this time around we can do it first time. We will be looking to get up there in the medals with a team placing. That is a big target.
Who is your sporting hero?
A Japanese gymnast called Kohei Uchimura. I have looked up to him for a while and he is by far the best in the world. He will be going for his sixth consecutive world all-around title. The whole Japanese team motivates me because their style is quite different to any other country. The fans in Glasgow are going to be in for a treat. It will be a good competition to watch.
What would be the ultimate dream?
For every athlete a gold medal has to be the target. I believe you should always aim high.
Tell us something not many people know about you.
I like to design clothes and trainers.
What is your party piece?
I’m not a singer or dancer. I’m more of a sit-back- and-chill-out type of person.
Describe gymnastics in five words.
Different. Exciting. Powerful. Surprising. Difficult.
DANIEL PURVIS
Daniel Purvis is the reigning British and Scottish all-around champion. Although born in Liverpool and brought up on Merseyside, his mother Denise hails from Dundee and Purvis made the decision early in his career to represent Scotland.
The 24-year-old took all-around bronze at the 2015 European Championships earlier this year; gold on parallel bars, bronze on rings and team silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games; and Olympic team bronze at London 2012.
Where did you learn your sport?
I was seven when I started gymnastics. I tried football first but I had two left feet. I couldn’t ever get to grips with it and would just be running around the pitch. I was energetic and one of my school teachers suggested to my mum and dad that gymnastics might be a better fit.
I started out with Saturday afternoon classes at Southport YMCA. I loved going along and never had any expectations. My coach Jeff Brooks thought I had potential and it all went from there.
Proudest moment to date?
My top three is going to the Olympics and getting a bronze medal, winning individual gold and making history with team silver for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.
Biggest adversity overcome?
The years between 16 to 18 and trying to break into the senior British team was a massive challenge. Not being able to go out and see friends, having to sacrifice my teenage years for training.
Since 2012, it has been harder to try and keep up the pace now I’m a bit older. The juniors coming through are all doing really well so I’ve had to up my game. There has been no time to relax. As I’m getting older my body is more injury-prone which means more time at the gym and rehab.
It has been a battle but I have always had something I have been proud of at the end of it. That is what gives me the motivation.
What are your ambitions for the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships?
The first goal is to make the Great Britain team to compete in Glasgow. We have trials coming up at the end of this month. After that we will be trying to qualify the team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Team GB needs to finish in the top eight in the world to do that. We would love to try and get on the podium as a team in Glasgow.
On a personal level, if I could get into the top 10 individually and also make the apparatus final on floor that would be my main aim.
You won team bronze at London 2012 – how has life changed?
It was crazy immediately afterwards. People knew me as a gymnast and I had never really had that before. It was all a bit surreal. This has been a tough Olympic cycle. There has been more pressure but equally if you get good results it does get more attention. It is always nice to be appreciated for what you are doing, especially in a sport like gymnastics which never used to get this level of publicity.
I feel like I have taken a lot of experience from London 2012. It was my first Olympics and that was great, but I came away thinking I could still improve. If I can make it to Rio next summer I think I can use that experience and not be quite as overwhelmed.
Who is your sporting hero?
Usain Bolt. He has so much belief in his own abilities.
Biggest misconceptions about gymnastics?
I got asked the other week why I wasn’t at Beijing for the World Athletics Championships.
When I’m not doing gymnastics I can be found...
Watching TV, at the cinema, on the PlayStation, hanging out with friends and studying for my
coaching qualifications.
BECKY AND ELLIE DOWNIE
Becky and Ellie Downie, Great Britain, photographed on Buchanan Street, Glasgow
OLEG VERNIAIEV, UKRAINE
Oleg Verniaiev, Ukraine, photographed at Barrowland, Glasgow
JOHN OROZCO
John Orozco, USA, photographed at Glasgow City Chambers
SERGIO SASAKI
Sergio Sasaki, Brazil, photographed at the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow
LARISA IORDACHE
Larisa Iordache, Romania, photographed at SSE Hydro, Glasgow
The 2015 World Gymnastics Championships will take place at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow from October 23 until November 1. For tickets, visit 2015worldgymnastics.com
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