COVENTRY-raised gymnast Jessica Gadirova successfully retained her European floor title with a stunning routine at the European Championships in Munich, Germany.
Gadirova scored 14.000 to claim her second European title at the Olympiahalle arena having won the floor event in Basel, Switzerland last year.
The 17-year-old wowed the Olympiahalle arena crowd with a daring routine to pip Italian pair Martina Maggio (silver – 13.933) and Angela Andreoli (bronze – 13.866) to top spot on the podium.
Twin sister Jennifer placed fifth in the floor final after the siblings helped Great Britain win team silver behind Italy alongside Ondine Achampong, Georgia-Mae Fenton and Alice Kinsella earlier in the week.
Jessica said: “I’m in a bit of a daze, I’m shocked to have retained my title to be honest it hasn’t really sunk in.
“You don’t really appreciate as you’re competing how the routine is going, I just focus on the next tumble but the crowd at the end make you realise how well you’ve done.
“Hearing Jen cheer me on from the side makes a big difference – its always so amazing having her alongside me.
“This is the last time I’ll compete that floor routine so its incredible to win the title with it and it will always have a special place in my heart.
“I’ll be working on a new routine after this looking ahead to the World Championships in Liverpool where the crowd will be amazing I’m sure.”
Jessica’s gold medal and team silver were two of four medals Britain won in the women’s competition at the Championships after Kinsella and Achampong also won silver in the all-around and balance beam finals respectively.
The teenager won team bronze with twin Jennifer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and will now look ahead to the World’s in Liverpool which begin in October later this year.
