Shanta Amankwah: Teenage gymnast makes Commonwealth Games debut.

In the year At the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, little-known teenage gymnast Claudia Fragappan became one of Britain’s breakout stars with her first gold medal.

As the tournament returns to the same city 12 years later, another Bristol-born teenager is hoping to one day follow in Fragappe’s footsteps as she bows out of her own Games.

Shanta Amanquah, who is part of the same Bristol Hawks gymnastics club where Fragapane started her career, said it was “realistic” to go to the same competition.

“I always looked up to her,” Amankwah told BBC Points West. “I was still young in 2014, and I didn’t go to this gym yet, but she had so many big successes, and when I came, she was always someone I looked up to.”

“Especially from the same place, because we’re in the same area, it’s very encouraging.”

At 17, Amankwah is the youngest gymnast in the Team England squad and is set to compete on the uneven bars, beam and floor from Friday.

In the year She became the British Junior All-Around Champion in 2024, having won bronze in the senior women’s all-around discipline at the British Championships earlier this year.

However, the Commonwealth Games is a big step forward in Amankwah’s rookie career, and as such, his aim is simple: “Just take in the whole experience,” Amankwah said.

“It would be nice to get a medal, but it’s just to enjoy and have fun with the team because it only comes around every four years.”

Fragapane Retired in 2024, And her advice to Amankwah had the same message.

“It’s hard to just make the team, and I wish you the best of luck,” she said.

“She’s just got to go out there and really enjoy herself and capture all the memories, because next thing she knows she could be sitting here 12 years from now going, ‘Wow, where did the time go?’