Lisa Davies and Martin Tattersall with wheelchair partner Michael Taylor

Wheelchair user Michael Taylor (age 16) had the distinction of competing with two different partners at two different levels of competition and winning national titles in both.

Michael and his mainstream partner Martin Tattersall (age 14) not only also received the accolade of gaining the highest disability score of the whole competition, a massive 15.163 points, but it is believed to be the highest ever disability score achieved at a national sports acrobatics championships since disability sports acrobatics was introduced in Britain 6 years ago.

Michael with his other mainstream partner Lisa Davies (age 17 years) however were not to be out done. They went on to collect the British Gymnastics Sports Acrobatics national disability trophy. This special trophy is awarded solely by the competition judges who judge all the national routines. This prestigious trophy is always awarded to the gymnastics pair who

This may not necessarily be the highest scoring routine, but will be a routine which can show and demonstrate the wonderful cooperation and potential of disabled and non-disabled gymnasts working together.

Coach Iain Chalmers was delighted with the gymnasts success.

"The Cheshire Academy has managed to qualify for every national final since the disability routines were introduced in the year 2000. We are unique in the UK as being the only club able to achieve this. Every year the routines are getting better and better and more sophisticated; our skills are becoming more and more innovative and dynamic and their is a real sense of excitement when the Cheshire academy step onto the floor ready to start their routines".

	Michael Taylor and Martin Tattersall on their way to a record breaking score of 15.167 points

"Just 4 weeks before the competition, Martin broke a finger and badly displaced a knuckle which required hospital treatment. When Martin discussed competing at the national finals with the doctors they were more than a little dubious about his competing. Martin however was especially worried about disappointing his wheelchair partner Michael Taylor, however with just days to go before the Nationals the doctors gave him the all clear. Although Martin was given the option of bowing out of the competition or of performing a greatly modified routine with key skills removed, he was convinced that he would be able to perform his normal routine. With very little practice for 4 weeks, Martin marched onto the floor and performed a textbook routine, holding every single balance perfectly and linking every skill with stunning perfection. He and his partner Michael managed to gain the highest disability score ever obtained in the history of disability sports acrobatics in the UK. This surely is a story to inspire and to motivate any sports man or woman. This is the sort of selfless dedication and consideration for others which makes sport so important to youngsters of today".

To find out more about our Sports Acrobatics Club please click on 'sports acrobatics'.

	Michael Taylor
			Lisa Davies