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Commonwealth Games: Courtney Tulloch rings the changes for gold bid

Courtney Tulloch is out to prove he's no one-trick pony when he represents England in the Commonwealth Games.

Maidstone gymnast Tulloch has earned a formidable reputation on rings but there's more to his armoury and he'll show it on the Gold Coast by taking on vault and parallel bars too.

He's been training hard and is ready to show what he can do after being selected for the five-man England team alongside Pegasus clubmate James Hall.

Pegasus gymnasts James Hall and Courtney Tulloch with coach Ionut Trandaburu
Pegasus gymnasts James Hall and Courtney Tulloch with coach Ionut Trandaburu

Tulloch, 22, said: "It's nice that I can do more pieces now so I can show everyone what I'm capable of.

"I've always considered myself as more than just a rings worker.

"I want to surprise a few people out there.

"People that know me, they know what I can do on floor, vault and p-bar so they're aware, but a few of the outsiders, they're not too sure.

"I'm looking forward to it, if people see me on vault they'll be like 'what's he doing?' but it'll be good.

"I'm glad I was selected. The head coach set targets and I was hitting those targets and I'm doing things I wasn't doing last year.

James Hall and Courtney Tulloch in their England kit
James Hall and Courtney Tulloch in their England kit

"I'm not just doing the same routines and the same stuff. I'm still young and still improving so I'm really happy about that.

"Our ultimate goal is to focus on the team competition but we want to win everything.

"We want to be top of the podium in the team and our goal is first and second on every other piece."

Rings remains Tulloch's biggest strength and he has a special routine lined up.

That includes the return of the 'Tulloch', the skill he invented at the World Championships a few years ago.

"It's back in the routine," he said: "I'm excited. I've got a big routine.

Courtney Tulloch in relaxed mood before the Commonwealth Games
Courtney Tulloch in relaxed mood before the Commonwealth Games

"My target was to get the Tulloch back in the routine and an improved dismount, one of the hardest rings dismounts out there.

"I want to show everyone what I've been doing in the gym on vault and p-bar but it's going to be a good routine on rings and I can't wait to show it."

Having Pegasus coach Ionut Trandaburu in their corner as England captain will only help Tulloch and Hall's chances.

Trandaburu has been with them every step of the way and it's fitting he'll be there for the biggest competition of their careers.

Tulloch said: "I think because there's two of us from the same club they gave him the chance, which is great for me.

"He'll be lifting me up on the rings which some people don't see as a big deal but having your coach there with you, saying those last words to you, someone you know and trust, it helps a lot so I'm really happy he's going to be there.

"I think he's been patient with us.

Courtney Tulloch with coach Iont Trandaburu at the 7,000-capacity Commonwealth Games venue
Courtney Tulloch with coach Iont Trandaburu at the 7,000-capacity Commonwealth Games venue

"A lot of gymnastics coaches are in the here and now and they're like 'you've got to do this now' but that's how you get injuries and people end up struggling.

"But with me and James he's been patient, he's given us a couple of years to learn a lot of things and maybe not going out there and doing the biggest routines but improving each year.

"Now we're blossoming, we're men now and it's working out for us.

"I've got to thank him a lot for that because now, touch wood, we're injury-free, we've not had any surgery, which in gymnastics is unheard of.

"We have a good friendship bond and I think that's important.

"He's interested in our lives and what we want to do after gymnastics, so he's like a friend as well."

WHEN TO WATCH: Thursday (April 5) team final and individual qualification midnight-6am, 8am-1.15pm; Saturday (April 7) all-round final midnight-3.45pm; Sunday (April 8) apparatus finals 5.30-11am; Friday (April 13) apparatus finals 1-3.15am).

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