Women’s Artistic gymnast Poppy Stickler set for senior GB bow after World Challenge Cup call

Poppy Stickler will make her senior bow for Great Britain next week after earning selection for the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup series event in Koper, Slovenia.

It’s part of a big week coming up for the women’s artistic gymnast, who is in her first year as a senior. 

This weekend she will be involved in final Commonwealth trials and also turns 16 on Sunday before completing her GCSE exams at Whitchurch High School on Tuesday.

Poppy is also a firm contender to earn Team Wales selection for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with the gymnastics team to be revealed on Wednesday morning. 

At the Artistic British Championships in Liverpool at the end of March, she produced a brilliant bronze medal winning performance on the floor – after which she was named in the Women’s Artistic British Senior Squad for the rest of 2022.

Poppy will fly out to Slovenia on Wednesday morning with personal coach Olivia Bryl for the event, which takes place from Thursday to Sunday.

WAG National Coach Olivia said: “We’re really pleased for Poppy after some good performances at the start of the year; it’s a fantastic opportunity to gain international experience as a first year senior.

“Poppy will just have finished her GCSEs the day before we fly out – so I know she will definitely be looking forward to it!”

Congratulations also to MAG Brevet Judge and Olympus Gymnastics Club’s Paul Edwards who will also travel to Slovenia as part of the Great Britain delegation next week to judge the men’s competition.