2022 looks set to be a challenging year for a young Thurrock gymnast who is already making his mark on the national scene.

Nine-year-old Kaydn Jackson from Stanford-le-Hope started gymnastics at the age of two.

From those early beginnings his commitment has grown and he is now enhancing his talent by training for up to 26 hours a week as he seeks to fulfil a dream to compete in the Olympics.

Kaydn is part of the elite performance men's program at South Essex gymnastics club.

He trains in Basildon with triple Olympic champion Max Whitlock who is a huge role model and Kaydn's idol. 

Kaydn recently competed in the Pipers Vale U9 challenge cup and took the all around title, becoming U9 national champion. He then secured a place to trial at Lillishall National Sports Centre with GB's head national coaches.

And it has now been announced Kaydn has been selected for the Great Britain high-performance programme in 2022. He is now part of the Great Britain development squad program and one step closer to being an Olympic star.