Sibling rivalry drives twins to gymnastics success

Abigail and Emily Roper, 20, are both already established international athletes

They say hard work, dedication and relentless hours in the gym are the recipe for athletic success.

But for twins Emily and Abigail Roper, sibling rivalry and their fair share of bickering have been a healthy driving force too.

The 20-year-olds, who study at the University of Essex, have set their sights on competing at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"We have always trained together and been in the same classes at school, so we are used to being with each other," said Abigail, who grew up with her sister in Ipswich with both attending Pipers Vale Gymnastics Club in the town.

The siblings have already represented Wales and Great Britain on the international stage, with Emily being the youngest athlete at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in May.

Both compete across the artistic disciplines of vault, uneven/asymmetric bars, balance beam and floors.

"Sometimes we bicker because we are competitive, so we are constantly fighting to see who is better," Emily said.

Abigail said it was her dream to make the Commonwealth Games in 2026

Away from the mats, the pair, who attended Copleston High School in Ipswich, are also both studying for a sports and exercise science degree.

They have been combining their studies with an intense training schedule, which involves hitting the gym five days a week.

Despite training, studying, living and competing together, the twins said they always get on.

Emily during a previous competition in Europe

Abigail said: "Next year we have the Commonwealth Games, and this is our big aim and our dream.

"Studying here will help us compete and hopefully get the scores we need to get selected."

They chose the university course at its Colchester-based campus because of their passion for biology, PE and the mechanics of athletics.

Emily added: "Studying here is brilliant as we can get the full potential of our university experience, whilst also benefitting from our training."