Personality Profile


Photograph by Pierre-Yves Beaudouin/Wikimedia Commons


sustainable and, if Courtney was to get a fighting chance of ploughing the necessary time and effort into becoming a champion, it would make more sense to move to Kent. The difficulty was that Courtney had


three brothers. Te two eldest – Adam and Jeremy – had already flown the nest to study at university at the time of the move. But Courtney’s twin, Charlie, was still at home and had forged a life and friendships of his own in Romford. Te sacrifice of giving all that up to allow his brother to pursue his own gymnastics dream was major. “A lot of people would have said no, I’ve


settled in here, I’ve got my friends,” says Courtney. “But he didn’t kick up a fuss. He realised I had an opportunity, so he moved - no complaints. “I’m forever grateful he did because, if he hadn’t, I might not be here now.” Today, Courtney is often around Maidstone. When he’s not training at Pegasus in Farleigh Hill (which he does six days a week), he’s doing weights at Core Te Gym in King Street. He goes bowling with mates. Likes arcades. Does talks at schools. And is no stranger to the town’s restaurants. “I like being recognised,” he says. “It doesn’t


happen ridiculous amounts, but I do like it. I’m always approachable because, when I was younger, my gymnastics idols were always approachable and willing to help me.” He still lives with Gloria (Charlie is now


studying law and history at university and dad, Richard, is a barrister in Birmingham), and admits that training always takes priority over time out on the town. “Growing up in secondary school was the


hardest time for me because of the sacrifices you have to make for gymnastics,” he says. “Going out, seeing your mates, missing a friend’s birthday party, trips to the cinema… just normal stuff. Things that normal


secondary schools kids do, I couldn’t. “But my former coach once told me I can


only be a gymnast until about 30, if I’m lucky, so I had to grab the opportunity with both hands because one day I won’t be able to do it anymore. Ten, when I’ve retired, I can go to as many parties as I want, to as many cinemas, go out drinking… I’ve never forgoten that, and I live by that now.” Courtney’s dream is to represent Great


Britain at the Olympics. He was in the running for Rio 2016 but was consigned to reserve. “Te Rio 2016 Olympics, were a rough


time for me,” he says. “From 10, my age group was told we’d be the 2016 squad. I convinced myself that 2016 was going to be my time. I hit the trials, did everything I needed to - reached


my target scores, went to the European Championships and helped the team to a silver - but when it came to selection, they said I wouldn’t be going, that I was on reserve. “It takes a lot of emotional and mental


discipline to pick yourself up aſter that. But you have to carry on. Believe in your journey.” With retirement just a few years away,


Courtney admits he oſten ponders what the future holds. “I’ve thought about having my own clothing


brand, or a restaurant,” he says. “Or, of course, I might have my own gymnastics club. “I like to keep my options open because you just never know what’s going to happen. “But at the moment I’m focussed on gymnastics and what I’m doing now.”


Courtney Tulloch Career Highlights: 2016 European Championships team silver, 2017 European Championships rings silver, 2018 Commonwealth Games (Team England) team gold, rings champion and vault silver


Mid Kent Living 9


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