Rhys McClenaghan’s ‘happy moment’ as he is awarded New Year honour

The 21-year-old champion gymnast from Newtownards, said it is a huge honour to be included in the New Year Honours List.

The young sportsman already has a host of achievements to his name, including being the Commonwealth and European pommel horse champion and he has also qualified for the Olympics.

“This BEM is a huge honour and it has made me very happy,” he said.

“I rang my parents straight away and told them the good news and they were thrilled about it – they said ‘are we going to have to courtesy to you coming through the door now?’

“It was a very happy moment though it was a huge shock, my coach questioned whether it was a real email.”

Recognition of the sport and his success is a huge motivation for McClenaghan. He uses his success as a way to promote gymnastics across Northern Ireland.

“I want to inspire the next generation because I want all the younger gymnasts below me to surpass my achievements and do much better than I will ever do,” he added.

“I hope that by becoming the first ever in all these achievements – the first ever Commonwealth champion, the first ever European champion (in the field) – all of these are first for the country and for the sport.

“It’s good that I am breaking down those doors for the younger generation to follow.”

Among his career highlights include breaking into the senior scene as an 18-year-old and beating the world champions.

“It proved to me and everyone else what I am capable of and it got a lot of eyes on me and promoted the sport,” Rhys added.

The gymnast went on to win more accolades, showing he was not a one-time winner.

Despite having to undergo surgery on his shoulder in 2018, the sportsman came back fighting.

He added: “I would love to see a lot more participation in the sport as well as more kids and adults being more active. My plans are to get stuck back into training and pull off the best results.

“There is many more firsts to come from Rhys McClenaghan.”

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