Dexter is flying high

DEXTER Dickinson is splitting his time between school and gymnastics - literally!

The 13-year-old Norden High School pupil entered his first gymnastic competition - the Bolton Floor and Vault Championships - and came away with a staggering three bronze medals.

"We spotted he was very flexible when he was nine," said his dad Alan.

He started training for an hour a week at Prime Time in Rishton.

In a short spell, he completed his BAGA badges and moved onto more advanced coaching at Hyndburn Sports Centre.

Dexter then moved onto the Thompson Centre at Burnley where he was trained by the coaches of Olympic gymnast Craig Heap for six hours a week.

"He learnt the basics in all the mens events - the high bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, rings, floor and vault," said his dad.

With Thompson Centre closing down, Dexter then moved onto the Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club where he goes four hours once a week.

"We went there for a trial and he did the splits three ways and they took him on immediately," continued his dad. "He doesn't look like a gymnast - he is very stocky - so they were pleasantly surprised! It goes to show anyone can do gymnastics.

"He had only been there a few weeks when he was asked to represent the club in his first competition."

And Dexter was a huge success - winning a bronze medal in the floor, his favourite event, and the vault and then overall bronze, to the surprise of everyone who just expected him to be taking part in his first event.

"It must have been hard for him as there were more than 200 people watching and there were competitors from all over the North," added Alan. "But he did well and he took his medals to school and all his friends were impressed. He would love to train more but it is a 40-mile round trip to Rochdale so we can only go once week. But he is looking to enter more competitions and is hoping to win gold next time."

Dexter also trains in the KIDDS kick boxing club at Prime Time and is hoping he can follow in Commonwealth Gold medallists Heap's footsteps and make it big in the gymnastics world.