Little in Mix for All-Around Crown

Gymnast Emily Little will push for an All-Around title at the 2017 Australian Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne after making a bright start to her campaign at Hisense Arena.

At 23 years of age, Little is one of Australia’s most experienced and consistent competitors at the elite level. She demonstrated those characteristics to accrue the second highest aggregate behind Queensland’s Georgia Godwin heading into Friday evening’s final.

The London Olympian top scored on her favoured Vault apparatus (14.750) and was also strong on Floor (13.275) as she compiled a total of 52.825 across the four rotations, marginally behind her rival’s total of 53.300.

The All-Around title will be fiercely contested however, with international-class gymnasts Georgia-Rose Brown (VIC) and Rianna Mizzen (QLD) both firmly in the medal mix after strong qualification performances.

Having enjoyed a highly successful world cup campaign earlier in 2017, Little said it was nice to be back in the familiar surrounds of Hisense – an Arena she has traditionally fared well in.

“It’s great to be back at Hisense; this arena is awesome and all the equipment is always so good…there is always such a good crowd here in Melbourne, so I just love competing here,” Little said.

Asked for assessment of her qualifying performance, Little said it had been important to make a strong start and enjoy her gymnastics.

“I think I started well on Floor. I had an explosive routine and tried to really show off my dance so that was fun,” she said.

Competition for the senior elite gymnasts continues on Friday night, with individual apparatus finals continuing over Saturday and Sunday.

WA currently sits third in the WAG Team rankings, with those medals also to be determined on Friday night.