Chris HoughtonA British Metal employee who took up gymnastics solely six months in the past has taken bronze at a nationwide occasion.
Chris Houghton, from Scunthorpe, picked up the medal within the current Grownup British Championships.
Mr Houghton, 38, mentioned he had at all times wished to be a gymnast and had lastly pushed himself to present it a go earlier than turning 40.
However when he was on the rostrum on the championships, he discovered himself asking his coach if it was all actual.
Mr Houghton, who has labored on the Scunthorpe plant for 15 years, is not any stranger to taking over challenges, together with biking from his house city to Scafell Pike for charity.
However it was gymnastics that he had at all times wished to do.
Chris Houghton“It is at all times been a household occasion watching the British gymnastics on TV,” he mentioned.
“I’ve at all times wished to have a go.”
His brother, Nick, inspired Mr Houghton to go alongside to Allegro Gymnastics Academy with him.
They turned up on the membership on a Thursday night not realizing what to anticipate, however Mr Houghton was “like a child in a sweetshop”, and he mentioned the night proved to be “the gas to take it additional”.
It was solely in Might that his coach really useful he entered the Grownup British Championships within the over-30s novice class, in acrobatic dance, trampoline, tumbling and creative gymnastics.
It meant arising with new routines and studying new abilities for the occasion at Lilleshall, Shropshire, and he thought it might be good expertise.
‘A second I will not overlook’
Collaborating in a nationwide competitors with greater than 400 fellow opponents six months after taking over the game was a “surreal second”, and when he was on the rostrum he turned to his coach and requested if it was actually occurring.
“You look across the room and everybody’s there and everybody’s clapping. Everybody’s cheering and it is a second that I undoubtedly will not overlook – that is for certain,” he mentioned.
Allison Sedman, head coach at Allegro Gymnastics Academy, mentioned: “Chris had grit and willpower and at all times offers every little thing a attempt.
“We’re very pleased with Chris and might’t wait to observe him progress additional.”
