Gymnastics: Rachael Letsche bows out with world title to pursue Cirque du Soleil dream

Britain’s latest gymnastics world champion Rachael Letsche has confirmed she is bowing out of the sport at the top of her game to pursue her dream of appearing in Cirque Du Soleil.

The 23-year-old from St Helens won the World Tumbling Championships in Daytona, Florida earlier this month, to add to the European team tumbling title she won in April.

But despite winning two gold medals this year, Letsche will focus her energies on landing a role in spectacular show Cirque du Soleil after a competitive career which has spanned half her life.

“That was my last competition so I’ve ended it on a high and I’m happy with that,” Letsche told Sky Sports News HQ. “I’m going to audition now for the worldwide production Cirque Du Sollei because that is my dream job.

“I went off to Cirque du Soleil for two months last year and I decided to carry on competing for another year so I don’t think I will come back (to competitive gymnastics). I’d already decided last year that I was finishing anyway.

“I think it is my time to settle now because gymnastics takes a toll on you and I’ve had lots of foot injuries over the years.

“I started gymnastics when I was five years old and I used to do both artistic and tumbling. But I started tumbling properly at 11 and have been tumbling with Team GB in world competitions since I was 12.

“I’ve stopped competing to focus on my career now but it is quite emotional because Team GB is like a big family and I am going to miss a lot of people.”

Letsche, who intends to continue coaching gymnastics, admitted winning the world title on her last outing had not crossed her mind heading into the competition.

“It’s just incredible and I’m extremely happy with how I managed to turn my performance around. I qualified in eighth position and I ended up as world champion.

“I’ve put in so much training over the years and I just stayed focused throughout competition, keeping a strong mindset and just trying to control my nerves.

“I think the experience of competing in other international and world competitions made it easier for me but I hadn’t thought about winning at all. I just wanted to land two clean runs and try and qualify for the final.”

Sportswomen is live on Sky Sports News HQ on Tuesday at 1130 and repeated at 7pm on Sky Sports 4 that evening before becoming available On Demand.