Gymnast and Sky Scholar Sam Oldham set for return at English Championships
Friday 24 March 2017 13:30, UK
Gymnast Sam Oldham is fired up for the big stage again as he prepares for the English Championships eight months after a career-threatening injury.
The Sky Academy Sports Scholar needs podium finishes in Loughborough this weekend and again in Liverpool at the end of the month at the British Championships to have a chance of selection for the Europeans in France in April.
Some athletes would be happy to be just standing again considering the horrendous ankle injury suffered at last summer's Commonwealth Games, but the 22-year-old from Nottingham admits his setback has helped to redesign himself - physically and mentally - and he's not content to be just taking part.
It’s felt like it’s taken an eternity to come round but now it’s here
"Eight months ago, I was sat on my bed, thinking this moment would never come," Oldham told Sky Sports, as he faces the prospect of performing on six disciplines for the first time since last summer.
"It’s awesome to be here now and I’m ready to go. I feel I’m not just going to have a feel for it but I’m here to do really well and try to win the Championships. I’m very proud of myself and my team - my family, medical staff and Sky and other sponsors who have helped me get back very fast.
"Having the injury actually meant I could improve on other apparatus. I’ve got more strength for the rings now. My coach says I’m a real man now! I’m 22 and heading into my peak and he says I’m ready. Only during 2014 and this year I have started to believe I can do this and that I’m talented. I know what I can do and I believe I can beat people - mentally and physically."
It's been an arduous road back to full fitness for Oldham. Surgery on his ankle last year ruined his hopes of competing at the World Championships in China last October but he managed to recover for the British Team Championships a few weeks later.
He even had to deal with missing the first two days of a training camp in Mexico last month after being prevented from flying because of a ripped page in his passport!
With the lows of dealing with officous staff at Manchester airport and the highs of a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics in the team competition, it seems little fazes this rising star.
First up for Oldham though is the English Championships at Loughborough University on Saturday.
"The scores this weekend are massively important," Oldham added. "This is the first trial for the European Championships. The British Championships is the second trial and both scores mean everything.
"Performance is everything. Five out of the six spots are up for grabs so it’s whoever performs best in these two competitions. The European Championships is all about the individual - there’s no team event - and my personal target is to go there as one of the all-rounders. So I need two big performances and I need a podium finish.
"In my career, I've had many experiences - good ones and disastrous ones. I’ve had the weight of the world on my shoulders but I’ve gained that experience. Now it’s my time to secure these performances and that’s what I want to do this year. I feel I can do it but it’s down to good preparation.
"The last three years there’s always been a niggle or something before an event. But this time things have gone smoothly. I’m looking forward to getting back out there. I’m sure I’ll get nervous but it’s like a fresh start. I’ll be competing in front of my home crowd at Loughborough. It’s very exciting and it will be an awesome atmosphere.
"I competed on four apparatus in November but this is my first on all six in eight months. It’s a big step and I’m not daunted by it. It’s felt like it’s taken an eternity to come round but now it’s here. I’m in good shape, I’m excited to just go for it."
Sam Oldham is one of 11 athletes being supported through the Sky Academy Sports Scholarships scheme.
The Scholarships offer a programme of support tailored to each athletes specific requirements covering areas such as funding, media coaching, mentoring and wider developmental support.
