SOUTH Essex Gymnastics Club’s Rhythmic girls celebrated being upgraded to third place at the Club Team Championships by receiving their bronze medals from Olympic gold medallist Max Whitlock MBE and coach Scott Hann.

The club were initially placed fifth in the competition, which was held at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent.

But after a review of the results, South Essex leapfrogged two of their rivals into third position.

Due to the Rhythmic girls’ position being upgraded after the event, they had to wait to receive their medals.

But it was worth the wait, as the up-and-coming stars received their bronze medals from local hero and Rio 2016 Olympic gold medallist Whitlock and his coach Hann in front of a big crowd at South Essex Gymnastics Club’s annual Gymnanza show.

Head of Rhythmic Gymnastics Verity Adams said: “It was a nice way to recognise the achievements of our gymnasts who performed very well at the competition.

“We had 24 girls competing over the weekend at Fenton Manor and they all did very well and rounded off another successful year for the club.”

Round three of the Group League also took place in Stoke-on-Trent, where Assistant Head of Women’s Artistic & Rhythmic Gymnastics Rebecca Bunce was in attendance.

Meanwhile, the junior group trialled for the Junior European Championships.

However, they just missed out on the top two qualification places as they claimed third position.