KATY GOES OUT IN TRIUMPH

Katy Johns, 33, competed in her last competition in artistic gymnastics the week-end of 26-27th May 2007 at Milton Keynes in the SNUGS (Special Needs Unit Gymnastics) bi-annual trampoline and gymnastic competitions and came away with 4 gold medals for a 10 bounce tramp comp on Saturday and Level 3 floor, vault and beam gym comp on Sunday. Katy's gym career has spanned 27 years. She started gymnastics at the age of 6 at the Bronda Kaile School of ballet in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, She also did ballet and with her sister appeared in several shows at the Weymouth Theatre. When she moved to Ashburton in 1983 she continued her gym career at Dyrons gym club, and then at the Ashmoor Centre with her coach Mrs Valerie Charlton.

Katy started at the South Devon School of Gymnastics in the late 80's and started competing at National competitions in the early 90's after watching a programme about special needs gymnastics. Her coach said Katy has the same ability as them, so we enquired about competitions.

Katy has competed in 4 Special Olympic National Games held in Cornwall, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Glasgow being in the top 3 of her level at each one. She has also competed all over the country including Northern Ireland at British Gymnastic competitions at all 3 Levels and voluntary routines representing her Club and the South West Region returning home with a hoard of medals.

Katy was part of the National Disability Display Team for 7 years travelling to America, Sweden, Portugal and Gran Canaries, and was also part the National Disability Squad for 3 years.

While Katy was at the Ashmoor Gym club she competed in the Tri-angle competitions against main-stream gymnasts and did very well.

Katy has been trained through the years by Mrs Valerie Charlton, her mum Rosemary Johns and sister Sarah Johns who also coaches her trampolining.

Katy has to retire from Gymnastics through illness, she is developing osteo-arthritise of the spine, but she is hoping to assist coaching younger gymnasts in the special needs class at the South Devon School of Gymnastics.

Over the years Katy has been acknowledged for her gymnastic achievements by being awarded:-

• The Chairman's Special Award at the Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards 1993
• The South Hams Disabled Sports Person of the Year 1995
• The Teignbridge Special Needs Achievements for Physical/Learning Difficulties Person of the Year 1999.
• The Teignbridge Sports Person of the Year 1999
• At the 2006 Teignbridge Sports Personality Awards was given a Special award for Outstanding Contribution to gymnastics.

We wish her all the best for the future!