YOUNG Alica Takanami-Baker showed she could be star of the future when helping the southern region to victory in her first national competition in Stoke-on Trent.

After qualifying for this event by taking gold in the southern region compulsory 4 competition, the nine-year-old Abingdon GC member performed brilliantly under pressure.

She took third place on beam, fifth on floor and seventh overall in a field of 50l leading gymnasts in Britain as the region took gold.

She will now look to replicate this performance later in year when she gets another opportunity to qualify for the southern region team and national finals.

Clubmate Rosie Greer competed in the compulsory 3 category, as a member of the southern region team.

She finished in a respectable 26th position overall with the south team finishing sixth.