Tuesday 27 October 2015
Name: Max Whitlock
Age: 22
Nationality & Hometown: Hemel Hempstead, Great Britain
In 2012 Max formed part of the Great Britain European Championships gold medal winning team and at the Olympic Games took Team and Pommel Horse bronze medals. In 2013 he continued his success to becoming British all-around champion and European All-Around silver, Floor gold and Pommel bronze medal winner. He then went on to take silver on Pommel and 4th all around at the World Championships. In 2014 Max again won the British All-Around title and then the European Pommel gold before taking Commonwealth Games All-Around, Floor and Team gold in Glasgow and World Championship All-Around silver.
Q & A
How do you feel about being selected for this set of iconic photos?
It was brilliant! Getting into the competition kit is always amazing for us and it was an exciting way of looking forward to the World Championships. That image looks brilliant and it has been an honour to be part of it.
When did your passion for gymnastics begin and how did you get involved in the sport?
I was in a local swimming club in Hemel Hempstead and my friend said you should come along and try gymnastics and I did and I loved it. I was 7 when I started gymnastics, which is quite late really.
What is your career highlight to date?
London 2012 really stands out in my mind. Winning two bronze medals there, as part of the Team and the first time in 100 years individually on Pommel Horse, it was just crazy. Last year winning silver at the Worlds in the All-Around, I couldn’t have asked for more in that competition, so I was also over the moon with that.
What are your personal goals for the World Championships?
The first priority is the Team and qualifying for Rio was the main aim. I am looking forward to the final and then the individual All-Around and apparatus finals later in the week.
What do you think of the Championships venue – The SSE Hydro?
It looks amazing. It was quite weird coming in as I had been to the Commonwealth Games here last year and I can’t recognise it. It is completely different, very compact and it looks absolutely incredible.
What advice would you give to any budding gymnasts out there?
I always give the same advice and it’s to set yourself goals. Be ambitious but if you haven’t got anything to work towards it is hard to get anything done.
How do you keep going through the tough times and bounce back from adversity?
At the start of the year when I had glandular fever, so that was a bit of a hit to the body. That affected me for about three months, but I feel that I am back to my best now.
Who are your sporting heroes?
When I was younger, I didn’t watch sport and I know that sounds quite weird but I did gymnastics purely because I loved it. As I’ve grown older, I’ve looked up to Kohei Uchimura and, outside of gymnastics, it was Usain Bolt. The way they both compete is so relaxed and with such confidence.
What are you looking forward to most about the Championships?
I think everybody is looking forward to competing back in Glasgow after having been here for the Commonwealth Games. Hopefully the crowd can be similar to the Commonwealths as they were unbelievable and the support massively helps. Every home competition we have done has been amazing and hopefully this is going to be one of the best ones.
Max will be competing as part of the GB men’s team in the Team final on Wednesday 28 October. Max has also qualified for the Floor and Pommel Horse apparatus finals on Sunday 1 November.
Tickets are still available from: http://www.2015worldgymnastics.com/tickets.aspx