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Treowen’s Lauryn Carpenter has announced she is retiring from the sport aged 17 just four months after representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games.
Carpenter qualified for the games in Birmingham after taking silver across all four apparatus at the Welsh Rhythmic Championships in June.
Carpenter finished 24th in the rhythmic individual all-around competition but 6th in the rhythmic team event.
According to Carpenter, a number of reasons have brought her to this difficult decision, including injury and the omission of rhythmic gymnastics at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Looking back at her time in Birmingham, Carpenter said: “I wish I could have the chance to do it all over again, with more confidence in myself, and a better run-up and avoiding any injury or illness so close to competing”.
Carpenter began her career aged ten at Crumlin-based Valleys Gymnastics Academy before switching to Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.
On what the future holds next for Carpenter, she said how she plans to focus on her studies and potentially look to coaching in the future.
Carpenter’s coach Nia Evans added: ” She had a goal to make the Commonwealth Games team and really pushed herself with an unwavering work ethic to achieve it.
“I was very proud to have Lauryn as part of the team and thought she did a great job.
“I really hope to keep Lauryn as part of our rhythmic community in coaching and judging roles as she still has much more to offer the sport.”
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