SOUTH Essex Gymnastic Club’s Brinn Bevan has been crowned all around English Champion after making a stunning debut in the senior ranks.

The 17-year-old former Deanes School pupil finished top of the pile at Loughborough University, beating club-mate Max Whitlock and Great Britain international Sam Oldham in the process.

And Bevan’s coach Scott Hann was full of praise for the youngster’s impressive display.

“This is a massive achievement for Brinn, especially as he was forced to have virtually a year off with a stress fracture in his back,” said Hann.

“He had six months when he couldn’t really do anything so to come back like this in his first event in the senior ranks is fantastic.”

Bevan finished top of the pile a final score of 86.000, just ahead of second placed Oldham who reached 85.760.

But Hann believes there is still far more to come from Bevan.

“There’s still room for improvement with Brinn but I think that’s really encouraging,” said Hann, who coaches Bevan in Basildon.

“He fell off the pommel and had a couple of slight errors where he had slightly bent legs during the routines but it gives us things to work on.

“His final score of 86 was still very good and if we can brush up in a few areas he’s definitely capable of scoring 88 or 89 which puts him up there with the very best in Europe.

“Anything above 90 is regarded as world class but Brinn is still only 17 and it’s great how well he’s already performing.”

Bevan’s South Essex Gymnastic Club’s team-mate Jay Thompson also returned to action in Loughborough after recovering from a dislocated elbow.

And Hann was equally as delighted by his displays after he won a bronze medal on the floor.

“Jay also come back after injury and was exceptional,” said Hann.

“He won bronze on the floor and also did well on the pommel so I was really pleased by how he performed.”