From steel to bronze in just six months for Scunthorpe gymnast

A British Steel worker who took up gymnastics only six months ago has taken bronze at a national event.

Chris Houghton, from Scunthorpe, picked up the medal in the recent Adult British Championships.

Mr Houghton, 38, said he had always wanted to be a gymnast and had finally pushed himself to give it a go before turning 40.

But when he was on the podium at the championships, he found himself asking his coach if it was all real.

Mr Houghton, who has worked at the Scunthorpe plant for 15 years, is no stranger to taking on challenges, including cycling from his home town to Scafell Pike for charity.

But it was gymnastics that he had always wanted to do.

“It’s always been a family event watching the British gymnastics on TV,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to have a go.”

His brother, Nick, encouraged Mr Houghton to go along to Allegro Gymnastics Academy with him.

They turned up at the club on a Thursday evening not knowing what to expect, but Mr Houghton was “like a kid in a sweetshop”, and he said the evening proved to be “the fuel to take it further”.

It was only in May that his coach recommended he entered the Adult British Championships in the over-30s novice category, in acrobatic dance, trampoline, tumbling and artistic gymnastics.

It meant coming up with new routines and learning new skills for the event at Lilleshall, Shropshire, and he thought it would be good experience.

Taking part in a national competition with more than 400 fellow competitors six months after taking up the sport was a “surreal moment”, and when he was on the podium he turned to his coach and asked if it was really happening.

“You look around the room and everyone’s there and everyone’s clapping. Everyone’s cheering and it’s a moment that I definitely won’t forget – that’s for sure,” he said.

Allison Sedman, head coach at Allegro Gymnastics Academy, said: “Chris had grit and determination and always gives everything a try.

“We are very proud of Chris and can’t wait to watch him progress further.”