Gymnastics star Jarman unveils secret plan to make Commonwealth Games history at Birmingham 2022

Jake Jarman is eyeing Commonwealth Games history after claiming his third gold in Birmingham.

The 20-year-old Peterborough gymnast arrived in Birmingham as a largely unknown newcomer in the team but in the space of just a few days has turned himself into one of the faces of the Games.

After helping England win team gold on Friday, he won the prestigious all-around title on Sunday.

And less than 24 hours later he was climbing back to the top of the podium, landed a dizzying triple twisting double summersault to secure floor gold, matching Max Whitlock and Nile Wilson, who won three golds in 2014 and 2018 respectively.

He will now start favourite for the vault final to move into a league of his own, as the first British gymnast to win four golds at the same Games.

“This is a very new experience, I’ve never had a competition where I’ve done this well,” he said.

“I just want to keep the momentum going, I’m not going to sit back and relax.

“I know I can deliver medal standard routines, but I want to keep that out of my head, the added pressure doesn’t help. You can’t have a good competition if you don’t have fun.

“That was the best routine I’ve done in my gymnastics career, to make a final is amazing and to deliver that routine when it really matters means so much to me.

“I’m looking forward to the vault final but I’m not setting any expectations, if I do what I can do I’m confident it’ll be good. However, if someone had told me last week I’d have three gold medals I’d think they were crazy. I’ll never get used to this feeling.”

Jarman dedicated his latest gold to his nan, Sheila Jarman, who would spend hours at Huntingdon Gymnastics Club, watching and waiting for her grandson’s practice to finish.

“My nan has always been there for me, she’d be sitting on the balcony at Huntingdon for all those hours,” he added.

“When you are young you don’t think about all the time people take out of you day but I’m at an age now where I appreciate it. I wouldn’t be here without everything she did for me. She’s watching back home on television, and I hope she’s enjoying it.”

The rising star of British gymnastics won’t get much chance for rest after these Games. He will head straight to Munich for the European Sports Championships, before targeting the World Championships in Liverpool later this year.

“Being in front of a home crowd is very special,” he added.

“They support everyone, the gymnastics community here is very friendly, but to have that extra support makes you buzz, makes your hair stand up and gets you excited. It really helps me perform better.

“We have an amazing group of boys; the team spirit is something really special and you can’t replicate that.”

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