Brightlingsea trampolinist Harvey Bell has won a bronze medal in the British Championships – beating higher ranked gymnasts in the Great Britain squad.
The 20-year-old had been hoping for a top 15 place in a strong field in the Senior Men’s category. He came 7th in the heats and qualified for the final, going on to put in a career best to take bronze.
“Harvey’s dream as a youngster was to compete in British Championships, and to win a Bronze medal is unbelievable,” said mum Ali Bell. “His coaches said it was the proudest moment in their coaching careers.”
Harvey – known to many in the town through work with the family Bargain Store business – started trampolining at the age of 11 and has trained at the Colchester School of Gymnastics for the past nine years.
Ali recalled: “When he started primary school the first thing his teacher said to me at parents’ evening was that Harvey didn’t walk anywhere, he would bounce, and he should have been called Tigger!”
Harvey quickly demonstrated that he had a talent for the sport and, in his first year of competing, won all his qualifying competitions and took gold medals in English and National championships for his age group – a record he’s maintained in most years since.
On leaving school, Harvey began a carpentry apprenticeship and worked in the Bargain Stores on Saturdays – until training took priority. T
Training stopped during the pandemic and, just as it was allowed to restart, he suffered a fractured eye socket – unconnected with trampolining – which kept him out for another three months and could have stopped him jumping for good.
But after being given the all-clear by doctors, he fought back to fitness and in his first British Championships, in 2022, placed 14th. His improved performance in the latest event has been the result of a rigorous six-days-a-week training schedule, with sessions in Colchester and Brentwood, and the help of physical performance specialist.
“To win a bronze medal is unbelievable,” said Ali. “Harvey would one day like to join Cirque Du Soleil and get paid for doing what he loves best – bouncing! Who knows what is next for him?”
