On Air Now

Your Harrogate Radio

10:00pm - 6:30am

Now Playing

The Script

Breakeven

Harrogate man becomes first British male to win Olympic vault medal

Harry Hepworth with his bronze medal (Image: British Gymnastics)

A Harrogate man has become the first British male to win an Olympic medal in the vault.

20-year-old Harry Hepworth scooped Bronze at the event in Paris yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

He narrowly lost out to Armenian Artur Davtyan (silver) and Carlos Edriel Yulo of the Philippines (gold).

But it was a record-breaking day for Harry after he had already become the first British man to take part in the rings final.

Speaking after the event, Harry said:

“I was so grateful to have the opportunity to be out there. 

“Not many people get to experience that and to come away with a medal, I don't have the words for it.”

Born in Harrogate and raised in Leeds, Harry took up gymnastics aged 8 after being diagnosed with Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease.

But even after being sidelined for three years due to the condition, he refused to give up.

He had previously won team silver at the European Championships earlier this year.

A round of applause for Harry Hepworth šŸ„‰ā­ļøšŸ‘šŸ½ The FIRST-EVER British male to win a medal in the menā€™s vault final at an Olympic Games šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§ #UnitedByGymnastics

Posted by British Gymnastics onĀ Sunday, August 4, 2024

More from Local News