Brinn Bevan is Echo's Young Sports Personality of the Year for 2015

The 18-year-old was part of the Great Britain team which finished second at the World Championships in Glasgow back in October.

And the Thundersley based youngster insisted winning the award was the perfect way to finish a memorable year.

“It’s a great feeling to have won,” said Bevan, a former Deanes School pupil.

“It’s been quite a year for me.

“There have been some ups and there have been some downs but all in all I’m pleased with it and this tops it off nicely.”

Bevan also won a bronze medal on the pommel horse at the European Games at the start of the year.

But it is still success at the World Championships which remains Bevan’s highlight of the past 12 months.

“The World Championships in Glasgow were essentially a home games and the atmosphere was crazy,” said Bevan.

“We went there trying to qualify for the Olympics which we did and then we just gave it everything we could in the team final which meant we managed to get silver.

“I still look back on that competition quite often.

“Everything about it was brilliant and it was one of the best events I’ve ever been to. “ But, just a month after impressing in Glasgow, Bevan suffered a double leg break while vaulting.

However, the youngster is already working incredibly hard to regain full fitness.

“I’m seven weeks post injury now and I’m starting to get back into things,” said Bevan.

“Things can only go upwards from here but I’ve come a long way already.

“I’m working hard and I’m still training the same hours that I was before the injury.

“I’m in the gym six days a week and there are still things I can do to keep myself my fit.

“It’s even harder to come back when you’re unfit and not used to exercise so I’m making sure that doesn’t happen with me. “ Bevan will therefore push on with his training regime at the Basildon based South Essex Gymnastics Club.

And he is refusing to rule out being selected for the Olympics which take part in Rio this summer.

“It’s going to be a hard push but of course it’s possible,” said Bevan.

“My first target is to get back fit and be stronger than ever.

“We have the Europeans, the test event in Rio and then the Olympics themselves.

“But if I can get back to where I was and even better then hopefully I’ll be in a strong position to qualify.”

Bevan has yet to be given a full timescale for his return but hopes to be able to compete at the British Championships in April.

“Whether or not I’ll be doing all six events by then I’m not sure but hopefully I can do at least four,” said Bevan.

“Floor and vault will be the last two to come because they put the most strain on my leg.

“But I’m feeling much more positive about things now.

“The first week or two I felt a bit sorry for myself.

“I was in bed for the first week but once I got out of that little trance I’ve been back in the gym and I’m more motivated than I ever have been before."

TOP THREE

1. Brinn Bevan (gymnastics), 2. Samuel Birdsall (archery), 3. Josh Da Silva (handball)

PANEL’S VERDICT

Brinn enjoyed a great first year in the senior ranks as a gymnast and seeing him shine on the world stage along with Max Whitlock was a huge high point for south Essex sport in 2015.

Brinn is also an extremely grounded and likeable youngster who we hope we be making headlines again in 2016.

TOMORROW: COACH OF THE YEAR REVEALED