Rhys McClenaghan: ‘I had a weekend off when the gym was shut — it was the most boring time of my life’

Fifteen-year old Rhys McClenaghan from Bangor in Co Down is one of Ireland’s rising gymnastic stars. A strong all-rounder with a particular flair for the pommel horse, he has set his sights on making the Irish team for the European Youth Olympics in Tbil

Q: So, why gymnastics and when did you start?

I’m at it eight years now, ever since I was seven. It always attracted me. I was a very active kid, climbing frames and things like that from when I was really young. There is a picture of me at home on the fridge as a two or three-year old and I am hanging from a chin-up bar. Even my primary school teachers used to tell my mum that I should do gymnastics. My auntie was a gymnast and my dad as well so it must have been in the family. I didn’t see them compete, but dad would take me out on to the trampoline when I was younger.