Thursday 20 November 2014 13:06, UK
Gymnast Claudia Fragapane admits being crowned 2014 Young Sportswoman of the Year is the icing on the cake of a remarkable year.
The 4ft 6in Bristolian became the first post-war British woman to win four gold medals at a Commonwealth Games when she claimed the individual floor, individual all-around, vault and team titles in Glasgow over the summer.
She was also the youngest member of the GB Team that matched their best ever result at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championship by claiming a silver medal in Sofia during the spring.
“It's been absolutely amazing to win this award and just be amongst all those amazing athletes,” Fragapane told Sky Sports News HQ. “It's just incredible.
To get this award has topped off the year. It really has been such an amazing year for me.
“It has been the icing on the cake for me after going into the Europeans and getting a silver medal with team, then going into the Commonwealths and getting four gold medals and then some good results at the worlds.
Amazing
“But to get this award has topped it all really it has just been such an amazing year.”
The 17-year-old admits her achievements in 2014 are a lot to take in and says it’s difficult to pick the best moment in what has been a whirlwind year for her.
“Words can't describe how this year has been for me,” she said. “I've worked so hard over the last 10 years and it has been absolutely amazing to share the experience with my Team GB team-mates.
“It's difficult to pick a highlight because it was my first time going into the Commonwealths the Europeans and the worlds. I loved doing the Europeans for the first time and getting the team result.
“Then obviously getting the four gold medals was unexpected and all of them were my favourites in different ways. The team one was special because we did it together and we worked hard in training just to get that gold.
“But I wasn’t expecting to win the individual all-around at all or even get in the top six so I guess that is probably the most special one, especially because I was on the podium with my two good friends Hannah (Whelan) and Ruby (Harrold)."
Fragapane believes she has reaped the dividends of her dedication to gymnastics for more than half her life and says she will cherish the memories of her glorious breakthrough year.
“I feel like it has really clicked and come together this year and all the hard work has paid off,” she said.
“I’m just going to keep working and if it does go downhill after that - which I don’t think it will - or if I don’t get as many medals in the future, I still have some great memories of the Commonwealths, the Europeans and the worlds.”
