Nickname
Jakey (TikTok profile, 30 Aug 2023)
Occupation
Athlete
Spoken languages
English
Club
Huntingdon Gymnastics Club: England
Coach
Ben Howells [club]
Start sporting career
He took up the sport at age six.
Reason for taking up the sport
"My memory is pretty hazy because I was so young, but from what my mum told me, when I was at my local park, on the monkey bars, doing my thing, one of the local coaches approached my mum and said, 'You should take your son to gymnastics'. It kind of just progressed from there. I've always had a natural love for physical activity and I've always had a place in my heart for gymnastics from then on."
Milestones
He became the first male artistic gymnast representing England to win four gold medals at a single edition of the Commonwealth Games when he was victorious in the men's team, individual all-around, floor exercise, and vault competitions at the 2022 Games in Birmingham, England. (itv.com, 05 Aug 2022; SportsDeskOnline, 13 Oct 2022)
Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (huntspost.co.uk, 09 Aug 2023)
Trainings
He trains in Huntingdon, England.
Most memorable sporting achievement
Winning silver in the individual all-around event at the 2023 European Championships in Antalya, Turkiye. (olympics.com, 16 Apr 2023)
Hero / Idol
British artistic gymnast Louis Smith. (itv.com, 05 Aug 2022)
Philosophy / Motto
"Consistency, along with flair, is among the important elements in winning competitions." (philstar.com, 19 Jun 2017)
Additional information
INSPIRATION
Growing up he was inspired by British gymnast Louis Smith, who also trained at Huntingdon Gymnastics Club in England. "I used to look up to him, watching him doing his pommel routines. Especially back in 2012 [at the Olympic Games in London]. We watched that competition on a huge projector in the gym. To actually watch him do so well in the biggest competition, it's really inspiring to see, and I hope that I can do the same for younger generations." (itv.com, 05 Aug 2022; peterboroughtoday.co.uk, 03 Aug 2022; iflipgymnastics.com, 03 Aug 2022)
HERITAGE
His mother is from the Philippines and his father is British. "I lived in Cebu [in the Philippines] for two years, from age three until five. I am proud to have both Philippine and British heritage." (philstar.com, 19 Jun 2017)
Last update : 2024-07-22
32
0
123