Games Artistic Gymnastics Website
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois junior Tom Gibbs and sophomore Tyson Bull have each qualified to travel to the 2015 World Summer Universiade (FISU games) this summer in Gwangju, South Korea. The games will be held from July 3-14, with the artistic gymnastics competition ranging from July 4-7. Gibbs will be representing his home country of England while Bull will wear the Australian colors.
"I am super proud of Tyson and Tom for qualifying to the World University Games," shared head coach Justin Spring. "This is a huge international event and both of them worked very hard to earn this opportunity. They are representing their own countries, but also the Illini nation!"
The Universiade is an international sporting and cultural festival which is staged every two years in a different city. It is only second to the Olympic Games. The Summer Universiade consists of 10 compulsory sports with 13 compulsory disciplines and up to 3 optional sports chosen by the host country. The Summer Universiade incorporates educational and cultural aspects into 12 days of sports competitions, allowing university student-athletes from all over the world to celebrate with the host city in a true spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.
During his second season in the orange and blue, Gibbs competed in the all-around three times with his career-best mark coming the final time as the London, England, native registered 86.050. He was part of the Illinois vault squad in every meet this season and posted a career-best score of 15.150 at Ohio State. Gibbs suited up for the NCAA Championships and posted a 14.450 on the vault as well.
In his first year with the Illinois unit, Bull saw action in five different events. The native of Victoria, Australia, also saw action at the NCAA Championships and posted a reading of 13.550 on the high bar, his career-best. At the end of May, Bull also won the high bar and pommel horse gold medals at the Australian Gymnastics Championships.
Additionally, recent Illinois graduate C.J. Maestas was named the first alternate for the United States team.
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