Joe Fraser shortlisted for Gymnastics World Cup 2019

The event, which will be held at the Resorts World Arena on Saturday March 23, will see two male gymnasts and one female gymnast from Great Britain competing for glory against USA, Russia, China, Canada, Brazil, Japan, France and Germany.

The 20-year-old former Sandwell Academy pupil missed out on a place in the team at this year’s World Cup following a serious ankle injury in January but has high hopes for 2019.

Fraser said: “I’m really happy to be in the running for a place competing for Great Britain at the Gymnastics World Cup. I’ve never had the opportunity to compete in a major competition in Birmingham, so to be one step closer to performing in front of a home crowd in my own city would just be phenomenal.

“Whilst 2018 didn’t start so well with me missing out on the World Cup and Commonwealth Games due to injury, I’ve had a really positive end to the year, with selection for the European and World Championships – and being shortlisted for World Cup shows I’m right back in the mix again.

“Watching the World Cup last year and seeing the incredible support of the Midlands crowd was really inspiring.

“Anything can happen in the next 100 days, so for me the main focus is to keep working hard, stay fit and keep myself in contention.”

In the men’s competition, Great Britain will face gymnasts from Russia, China, Japan, USA, Brazil, Netherlands and Switzerland while the women’s event will see Great Britain competing against the USA, Russia, China, Canada, Brazil, Japan, France and Germany.

Unlike the 2018 Gymnastics World Cup, 2019’s edition will all take place over one day on Saturday 23 March. The men’s competition gets underway at 13:00 and concludes at 16:05 with the women’s events following on at 18:30 and finishing at 21:15.

Tickets are on sale for the 2019 Gymnastics World Cup, with individual session, family and joint session tickets available.

For more information visit www.gymnasticsworldcup.co.uk.