Emma Slevin enjoys ‘amazing experience’ as she finishes 19th in Japan

Galway teenager Emma Slevin finished 19th in the women's all-around final at the 2021 Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan on Thursday, and described making it into the top 20 an "amazing experience".

Slevin has made history twice this year by becoming the first Irish gymnast to qualify for AA finals at the 2021 European Championships in April and did it again this week by breaking into the global elite at the 2021 Worlds.

Slevin scored 11.266 on floor, 13.600 on vault (her highest score of the day), 12.533 on uneven Bars and finally 12.733 on the balance beam.

“Today was such an amazing experience, not my best day, but to able to call myself a World Championship finalist and make history for my country is something I will be proud of forever,” said Slevin. “I’m so thankful to everyone who supported me and helped me along this journey. I’m feeling very motivated to get back into the training gym.”

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Gymnastics Ireland's women's national performance coach Sally Batley, said: "Emma is a phenomenal athlete, she's incredibly driven and is constantly striving to improve and to be the best version of herself, so there was certainly potential here today to feel the pressure.

“She should be so proud, she did a great job out there and hit some great scores even with two uncharacteristic errors. Her energy, focus and composure in the arena was outstanding and to finish with such beautiful work on beam was a truly great way to end the championships.”

Speaking from Japan, Gymnastics Ireland performance and technical manager Sally Johnson said: '"We are all so proud of Emma cementing her position as one of the world's best. Emma showed once again her grit and determination in the final on this world field.

“She fought back from an early fall on floor to have one of the highest execution scores on vault. Emma built on her 21st position in qualifiers to finish in 19th position carrying two unfortunate falls with the rest of her routines almost flawless. The experience of this World Championships has been a tough one with the restrictions proving to be a challenge for everyone. We all look forward to returning home to build on the Paris cycle and next year’s programme.”