Dynamite Willow-Mae firing to gymnastics glory

‘Little Miss Dynamite' Willow-Mae Calland has reached new heights in the world of gymnastics with her dreams of making it into a British squad even closer.

The 11-year old South Devon School of Gymnastics starlet is now officially an 'elite' gymnast and is hoping for a place in the GB Aspire Squad.

This year has seen the Torquay Academy schoolgirl successfully completed her final year in the British Gymnastics Elite Pathway, a prestigious program that only the top two per cent of gymnasts in the country can achieve. 

She passed her Excel 3 Grade by competing regionally in Wiltshire and then at a National competition in Stoke on Trent.

In Wiltshire she was crowned the South West Excel Champion. In the National competition in Stoke, she achieved the required pass score as well as becoming Devon Level 3 Champion.

The biggest challenge came at the recent FIG Development 3 British Finals in Guildford, which were the final step on her journey to becoming an Elite Gymnast. 

Willow smashed it - she was crowned the British FIG Development 3 Vault Champion and also won the overall All Around Title as the British FIG Development 3 All Around Champion. She also won silver on both the bars and floor.

Willow's mum Kirsty said: "With these achievements, she has now completed her Elite Pathway and she is so proud to be recognized as an Elite Aspire Gymnast."

Now Willow is facing her biggest challenge to date. Her results have automatically qualified her for the English Championships and the prestigious British Championships 2025, set to take place in March in Liverpool alongside all of the top names in gymnastics including Olympians like Abby Martin - a colleague and one of her best friends at the South Devon club.

Mum Kirsty said: "We are all so very proud of her. She has worked so hard. We would like to say a huge thanks to her coach Rachel Wignall and the South Devon club. Without them none of this would have been possible."

To cap a great year all round Willow finished her regional squad training in Cornwall by being named squad Gymnast of the Year - landing a gold leotard.

Coach Rachel said: "Great Work from Willow. She was chosen as the squad gymnast of the year for fantastic competition achievements and excellent work ethic all year. What a fabulous achievement."

Willow's family have sent a special letter of thanks to the Rotary Club of Tormohun and its Mike Sangster Award and the Trevor Ward Foundation for supporting her with grants over the past year.