McLeod wins Silver at FIG World Cup, Portugal

Tasmanian Trampoline Gymnast, Leuca McLeod (Kingborough Gymsports) won the silver medal in the Men’s Double-Mini at the recent FIG World Cup in Coimbra, Portugal as part of the Gymnastics Australia team who travelled to the event in June.

McLeod, 16, the youngest competitor in the field qualified for the final round of competition in third place behind Portugal’s Tiago Romao and Gavin Dodd from Canada before performing a personal best to finish in second position behind Romao. 
 
McLeod’s performances in Coimbra are record breaking with the youngster performing a difficulty record for Tasmania in his final routine, which consisted of two triple somersaults on the double-mini tramp. The result also marks the first World Cup medal in the history of Tasmanian Gymnastics.

State Coach, Ben Kelly, says the final round of competition was intense with most gymnasts opting to compete triple somersaults to secure a spot on the podium. Leuca’s final score was actually equal with Romao in first place, however, tie-breaking rules within the sport meant McLeod had to settle for silver as Romao won the previous round of competition. Regardless, the experience and result should place McLeod in good stead and with confidence to build towards his next main event.
 
Tasmania has a history of producing world-class double-mini gymnasts with Jack Penny finishing 5th at the World Championships in 2010 and Damien Axelsen leading Australia to a 4th place in the team final in 2015.

McLeod will now focus on the final trial at the National Clubs Carnival in September on the Gold Coast, for the World Championship team to travel to Sofia, Bulgaria in November.