GYMNAST Brinn Bevan will step up his pursuit of an Olympic place by taking part in the competition’s test event this weekend.

The Thundersley based 18-year-old flies out to Rio tomorrow as he continues his comeback from a double leg break.

And his coach at South Essex Gymnastics Club, Scott Hann, insists Bevan cannot wait to get to Brazil.

“It’s fantastic for Brinn to be heading out to Rio for the test event,” said Hann.

“He’s still working his way back to full fitness but he’s amazed everyone by how quickly he’s come back and getting to compete at this test event will give him another huge boost.”

Bevan, a former Deanes School pupil, was part of the Great Britain squad to win World Championship silver last October.

But, just a month after that success, the youngster suffered a serious injury setback.

At that stage, Bevan seemed unlikely to challenge for an Olympic place but he has fought his way back to fitness and competed admirably at the British Championships at the weekend.

“Brinn is a true competitor and he absolutely nailed it,” said Hann.

“He obviously wasn’t as prepared or as conditioned as he normally would be because of the broken leg.

“But he took four part on four pieces and made two finals which is quite some going.

“He will compete on four pieces again in Rio at the weekend and it’s great.

“The Europeans in mid-May might still be a little bit early for him but the Olympic dream is still alive and going out there this week will give Brinn a real taste for it.”

Bevan finished fourth in the parallel bars masters final and fifth in the pommel horse showdown.

However, it was Bevan’s team-mate at the Basildon based South Essex Gymnastics Club, Max Whitlock, who took centre stage at the British Championships winning the all around final with a stunning personal best if 92.7.

But Hann was not surprised to see the superstar gymnast secure such a high score.

“I always knew Max was capable of this,” said Hann.

“This was another stepping stone for him heading towards Rio and he was absolutely phenomenal.

“He went for it 100 per cent and did an amazing job.”

Whitlock also won the pommel horse and floor masters final as well as taking second on the high bar and the parallel bars plus third on the rings.

However, Hann was equally delighted by the displays of Jay Thompson and Reiss Beckford.

“Jay is coming back from two serious injuries but he really looked the part,” said Hann.

“He was outstanding and showed he’s up there with the rest of the guys.

“Reiss was also very good and it was a great weekend for him too.”