China’s Meng Li won gold in the women’s individual trampoline final. Aslin Styles from Australia pulled through to claim silver and junior elite national champion Alexandra Freeman took bronze.

There was high drama in the unpredictable sport of trampoline where hitting the edge of the trampoline mat will end a competitor’s routine whether they have completed their 10 compulsory elements or not.

Sydney local, Bethany Bailey, who qualified first for the final, needed only to complete her 10 elements to secure gold. But as so often happens in trampoline, a slight over-rotation threw her onto the mat, cutting short her routine and landing her in 8th place.

“It was a small mistake. I moved my shoulders back and it was all over,” she said after her performance.

15-year-old Aslin Styles made her international trampolining debut at the AYOF.

“I’m very shocked, but also very happy with my performance and to know my training has paid off,” she said.

“Aslin’s silver medal was a very good surprise. She has made an unbelievable improvement in the last six months,” Australian coach Nikolay Zhuravlev said.

Australia’s Jaimi Meyer and Yingying Liu of China were strong medal chances in the event, but both failed to qualify after disappointing first round routines.

In the men’s individual trampoline China and Japan muscled Australia out of medal contention. Subaru Shintani and Ryota Shimada won gold and bronze for Japan, while Lixiang Liu added silver to China’s medal tally.

Jack Penny and Jason Johnson had to be content with fourth and fifth places for Australia.

“I thought my finals performance was really good, but I’m disappointed with my second routine,” said Penny.

The athletes compete again this afternoon in the synchronised event at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.

Jessica Mah
AYOF