November in review: Golden success on World and European stage

Monthly review and preview 30 Nov 23

Two-time Olympic medallist Bryony Page catapulted herself to a second individual world title at the 2023 World Trampolining Championships this November.

The Cheshire native became Team GB's first-ever trampolining Olympic medallist when she won silver at Rio 2016, adding a bronze to her name in Tokyo 2020.

And on home soil in Birmingham, she reclaimed her 2021 world individual crown in style with a score of 56.680, that included a high difficulty of 15.8.

"I really wanted to go for my harder routine so I'm so glad I pulled it off in the best way in front of the home crowd," she said.

"I'm just a little bit in shock and super happy. I was so nervous. I woke up really early in the morning with nerves.

"I won the World Championships in 2021 during Covid times so we couldn't really have a crowd so it's just amazing that I've been able to make it up by having it here."

Page was joined by teammate Isabelle Songhurst in the synchronised event, clinching bronze as a duo.

Songhurst finished seventh overall in the individual but her incredible semi-final routine secured Team GB a ticket to Paris 2024, clinching a quota spot in the process.

Together, Page and Songhurst shone and claimed synchro bronze with a score of 48.830, beating Japan in fourth on 48.490, and finishing close behind the gold and silver medallists, the USA and China.

Paris 2024 quota also came in the form of a men's individual spot as Zak Perzamanos flew into the men's final, finishing fifth in the world with a routine of 59.990 points.

Later in the month, Team Mouat served up a third successive European curling title in Aberdeen.

The Beijing 2022 Olympic silver medallists defeated Niklas Edin's Sweden 6-5 in a dramatic extra-end final that came down to the final stone.

Bruce Mouat, Grant Hardie, Hammy McMillan Jnr and Bobby Lammie clinched their fourth European crown and third continental victory in a row for Scotland in front of a home crowd.

"This one is extra special because it's in Scotland," said Mouat.

"Just having everyone here, family and friends that maybe haven't seen me curl live, it's a wee bit emotional but I'm absolutely buzzing. Just so happy to have it in Scotland."

Paris-bound sailors Anna Burnet and John Gimson closed their season with gold at the Nacra 17 European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.

The Olympic silver medallists finished eight points ahead of Italy's Olympic champions Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti after the final medal race was cancelled due to strong winds.

On the ice, Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson skated to their first-ever Figure Skating Grand Prix victory with the NKH Trophy in Japan.

The 'dream come true' moment came as the duo edged out Italy's Charlene Guignard and Marco Fabbri with their Rocky-inspired routine, scoring a new personal best of 215.19.

Also in November, Team GB announced the first names for canoe slalom and triathlon at Paris 2024.

Three-time kayak cross World Champion Joe Clarke is joined by Olympic silver medallist Mallory Franklin, and Tokyo Olympians Kimberley Woods and Adam Burgess on the rapids in Paris.

Tokyo double medallist Alex Yee returns in triathlon and is joined by Beth Potter who last competed for Team GB in athletics at Rio 2016.

2023 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final; Manchester, England; 2-3 December

Olympic medallists Jade Jones and Bianca Walkden lead out a nine-strong British contingent at the World Taekwondo Grand Prix Final on home ground in Manchester. Jones won a gold in 2014, 2016 and 2017, whilst Walkden claimed silver in the event last time out.

HSBC SVNS 2024; Dubai, UAE/Cape Town, South Africa; 2-3 December/9-10 December

The opening series of the newly rebranded HSBC SVNS takes place in Dubai in early December before jetting off to Cape Town, South Africa. GB women secured their ticket to the Paris Olympics at the 2023 European Games, whilst GB men will be looking to start their season in style as they take on France in Dubai.

European Short Course Swimming Championships; Otopeni-Bucharest, Romania; 5-10 December

World champion Matt Richards headlines a 35-strong British team set to take to the pool in Bucharest. He will be joined by double Olympic champion Tom Dean who has medalled at the past three editions, with athletes looking to lay down a marker in their final competition of the year.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, Salford, England; 19 December

The best of British sport will come together at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on Tuesday 19th December. Previous winners include Team GB Olympians Sir Mo Farah and Sir Andy Murray.

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