Gary Smith: He keeps ticking and ticking and . . .

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Gary Smith 2004 Senior National Champion!

1974 . . . 2004

Jul 4, 2004
Gary Smith traded sharp twisters with Simon Milne's stratospheric 3-triff start. Gary looked crisp and clean in the sets but the weekend proved tiring with Gary and Simon entering both their age group and senior events.

With Gary giving his best in every warm-up and competition routine, he can be forgiven for tiring as the weekend went on, but right up to his final routine he showed resolve, professionalism (and a smile) as he reached for the title.

Meanwhile, Simon was determined to make an impact and was literally head-and-shoulders above the rest, at least in height!

Both Simon and Gary showed consistency throughout both the Senior and Age Group events, and finished with equal scores in each. Maybe the result was the fairest possible with the honours shared under the countback rule: Simon won the age group while Gary became British Men's Champion. Britain can be sure of its strength in depth going into the Olympics; both Gary and Simon earned the kind of scores that bring success at world level.

1st - GARY SMITH
2nd - SIMON MILNES
3rd - BRIAN CAMP
4th - PAUL NOBLETT

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By Trampolining Communications Network

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Gary Smith, a world champion in trampoline and tumbling, , knows a thing or two about what it feels like to compete for the United States and what it means to win against the best in the world.

Smith was the world champion in synchronized trampoline with Donald Waters, and said it was an unforgettable moment. “I guess that was probably the most memorable experience ... standing on top of that podium and seeing the flag raised and hearing the national anthem,” he said. “Donald was tearing up and I know there were tears coming down my face.”

The sport of gymnastics had changed dramatically over the 40 years Smith has been involved, he said.

Gymnastics has become a more technical sport. Viewers of the Olympics will hear a lot about start values of routines, which refers to the maximum value of the routine if performed perfectly. Not all routines start out with the potential to earn the elusive perfect 10.0.

“The equipment got better but the tricks have gotten harder,” Smith said. “The equipment has changed, not radically, but dramatically, and basically every change has been an improvement in safety to do more advanced, more technical skills.”

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