Millie Harvey believes she is finally back to her best ahead of the 2023 Trampolining Age Group World Championships in Birmingham.
The 20-year-old from Kingston finished sixth in the same event in Bulgaria last year, citing the performance as her best to date.
But a disc tear in her back in early 2023 suddenly left her racing to get back into competition mode ahead of this year’s spectacle.
Now back to the level she knows she’s capable of, Harvey is targeting finals once more on home soil.
“I’m really excited to do a home worlds because they don’t come around often,” said Harvey, who will compete in the individual and team event at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena from the 16th November.
“Individually I’m hoping to final, I made the final last year last year so hopefully that will happen again.
“It’s very inspiring to compete on the Age Group circuit, because there’s a lot of different people with different cultures and it’s good to make some new friends and just see how other people train at our age.
“It’s good to watch other people’s techniques.
“Making the final at World Age Groups last year was probably by biggest moment because it was my first time at that event, so was quite unexpected.
“To go out, performing like that and get in the final, they were definitely two of the best routines I’ve ever done.”
Despite her back injury, Harvey finished fifth at the recent British Championships in September, reaching the final in a tough competition that included two-time Olympic medallist Bryony Page.
Since then, the trampolinist has made the move from her home club of Tolworth to Poole Gymnastics Club while studying Psychology and Counselling at Bournemouth University.
“We had the British Champs in September and it went alright,” she said.
“It was my last comp for my home club so it was quite a special one but I did have to downgrade my routines due to my back injury.
“I came fifth overall and made the final so I had quite a decent routine in time for selections.
“I qualified for the general World Championships as well but decided to withdraw to focus on the Age Group Worlds instead.”
Harvey is now thrilled to see herself back in the competition as she gears up for a busy 2024.
She added: “It’s been quite difficult because towards the end of the year and in world championships season I’m back to kind of where I was the beginning of the year, routine difficulty wise, so haven’t made much progress in that area.
“I haven’t been able to train as much as I’ve wanted to and the focus has been more on like the S&C side, but I’m happy with where I’m at now and hopefully it’s paid off ahead of Worlds.”
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