ALTON trampolinist Stuart Sharpe has become a British champion for the second time after successfully defending his title at the Trampoline & Tumbling British Championships.

The 22-year-old, from Holybourne, near Alton, a member of Alton Trampoline Club, won the Men’s Disability Category 1 section at the championships held in Liverpool. He first won the title last year, but this time round had to overcome much stronger competition to clinch the gold. He said: “I’m really happy with the result. It was a lot more tense this time round because over the year my competitors had really grown. I had to put a lot more effort in to training to increase the standard of difficulty in my routine.

“We had to push the tariff up because with higher difficulty you get a higher score but we had to keep it looking good.”

The result was his most difficult routine to date with 17 somersaults, including several doubles.

Stuart’s campaign to keep his title got off to a good start earlier this year when came first in both of qualifying events, but those scores did not contribute to the final where there was only one chance to impress the judges.

For more details about Alton Trampoline Club visit altontrampolineclub.co.uk.