Ondine Achampong wants more success after four golds at British Championships

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Aylesbury's Ondine AchampongImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Achampong recently won gold four times in the British Championships

Aylesbury's Ondine Achampong says she is aiming for European success after winning four golds at last weekend's British Championships.

The 20-year-old trains in the Aylesbury Gymnastics Academy and won gold on the beam, uneven bars, floor and all around categories.

"It was all a shock," she told BBC South Today.

"Results give me confidence and after the British champs my confidence has gone up a lot more."

The upcoming European Championships provide a final opportunity for Achampong to compete before the fast-approaching Paris Olympics this summer, and she wants to back up what she achieved last weekend.

"My targets are to carry on what I've been doing," she said.

"It would mean a lot to go to Europeans and come back with some medals, it would give me a lot of confidence for Paris."

Achampong has previously won team gold for England at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and, individually, won silver medals in the all-around and floor exercise.

She shares the gym with both Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova, who were part of a team to win bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The 20-year-old described her gym mates as an "inspiration" and her "biggest cheerleaders".

As preparation for the upcoming games, Achampong has working on her mental strength as well as her physical attributes, putting her recent success down to a change in mindset.

"It's been a big thing for me," she added.

"Previously I've been on and off a bit mentally but I now have a mindset coach and she's really helped me turn my mental attitude into a strength."

The European Championships take place in Rimini, Italy from 2-5 May.

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