SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club star Brinn Bevan pulled out of the World Cup of Gymnastics to support coach Scott Hann following an emergency operation.

Bevan was set to compete in the major competition, which was being held in Stuttgart, Germany.

But Hann underwent emergency surgery on the morning of the day the World Cup got underway.

And, as a result, Bevan decided to withdraw from the competition in favour of visiting his long-time coach at hospital.

Bevan, who hails from Thundersley, took to social media to confirm why he was not involved in Germany.

The gymnast, who represented Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, tweeted: “Gutted to not have been out on the competition floor today but my coach underwent emergency surgery this morning.

“With safety as priority, I made the decision to withdraw from the competition due to him not being present.

“I then went straight to the hospital to check he was okay.”

The 20-year-old travelled to Germany in fine form, having been crowned the British all-around champion at the British Championships.

The former Deanes School pupil scored 84.400 in the British Championships’ all-around final after successfully completing some difficult routines.

And Bevan told the Echo last week that he was looking forward to testing himself against the world’s leading gymnasts for the first time since overcoming an injury-ravaged year.

However, Bevan - who has been a member of South Essex Gymnastics Club since the age of three - decided against competing in the World Cup of Gymnastics without coach Hann watching on.