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Pegasus gymnasts Courtney Tulloch and James Hall outline their ambitions for Rio 2016

Maidstone gymnasts Courtney Tulloch and James Hall have every chance of representing Great Britain at next year’s Olympic Games.

The Pegasus teenagers are working towards selection for the World Championships in Glasgow in October but Rio 2016 is the ultimate aim.

At 19, rings specialist Tulloch already has a move named after him, which he debuted at the World Championships in China last year.

And with the facilities at Pegasus’ new £800,000 home in Tovil, he feels he and Hall should be competing on the biggest stage.

Courtney Tulloch shows his strength on rings Picture: Martin Apps
Courtney Tulloch shows his strength on rings Picture: Martin Apps

Tulloch said: “Moving here has done a lot for me.

“Now there’s no excuse for me and James and other gymnasts in the GB squad to miss out on World Championships and Olympics because we’ve got the best facilities going.

“We’ve got everything we need - coaches, physios, nutritionists, everything.

“The World Championships are at the end of the year and if I’m selected for that then there’s a very good chance I’ll be in the Olympic team.

“I went to the Europeans a few months ago and the Worlds at the end of last year.

“Every day I think about being in Worlds and Olympics and winning medals.

“Before, going to the Worlds or Olympics was enough but not any more.

“You want to win medals and especially me. I’ve always been brought up like that.

“If you’re going to do something, be in it to win it. You want to be the best at what you do.”

James Hall is staying positive after failing to make the Team GB squad for Rio Picture: Martin Apps
James Hall is staying positive after failing to make the Team GB squad for Rio Picture: Martin Apps

Pegasus team-mate Hall, also 19, competes on all apparatus.

He’s grown up with Tulloch and the pair drive each other on. Rio is on Hall’s mind.

He said: “I’ve seen some competitions on TV when I was younger and then I’ve gone to them and it’s completely different.

“The crowd comes into it, and other gymnasts, so it’s difficult to imagine the Olympics.

“Hopefully one day I’ll be able to experience it.

“Gymnasts peak around 21-24 so I’ve got another two years until I reach the beginning of it all but I can feel myself getting there already.

“We’re still young but we’ve got a good chance, both me and Courtney.

“I believe we’ll find out a couple of months before, maybe three months.”

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