SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club star Brinn Bevan admits he surpassed his own expectations after he won his first ever senior medal with at the European Games.

The Thundersley gymnast claimed a bronze in the pommel horse final, having led with two performers remaining, as he demonstrated variety and poise to score 14.200 in Baku, in Azerbaijan.

Bevan, who only turned 18 in the week, came into the event after finishing 14th in Thursday’s all-around final. And he said he was delighted to take a medal back to Essex for Team GB in what was his first senior event.

“It’s a fantastic feeling,” said Bevan. “It was a nervy final but I managed to keep it together and stay on I’m so happy. It caps of a memorable week for me, good qualification, good all-around final and my birthday as well – a really good week all together.

“Coming in to this I didn’t expect a medal, it’s my first senior international and I’m up against the big names in our sport so to get this bronze, I’m really chuffed with that.”

Saso Bertoncelj took gold for Slovenia, with the home nation finishing in second through Oleg Stepko.