A WOMAN hailing from Warrington can look back on a year in which she achieved a remarkable milestone.

Ex-Warrington Gymnastics Club and The Wire Gymnastics Club member Natasha Coates set a record for the number of national titles won.

Following another outstanding performance at the 2022 Artistic Disability British Championships, the 27-year-old became the most decorated athlete of all time in her field.

The former Bridgewater High School and Priestley College student cemented herself as a champion with a clean sweep of gold medals at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.

Securing gold across all-around, vault, uneven bars, beam and floor, Natasha took her haul to an unprecedented 27 titles.

Her success has been achieved despite the battles she endures in everyday life.

Natasha has mast cell activation syndrome, meaning changes to her body’s status quo such as sweating, crying, laughing, can cause a life-threatening allergic reaction.

She has been hospitalised more than 500 times, but her love for the sport has convinced her to continue with gymnastics since starting at eight-years-old to become the greatest of all time in her category.

Reflecting on her historic achievements, and how much the sport has given her as she manages her health, Natasha said: “It still feels a bit surreal, particularly with this British Championships being quite difficult for me with regards to a deterioration of my health recently. It was completely unexpected.

"I just wanted to go and compete and do my best. I knew the biggest competition would be myself.

“To have walked away as most decorated was surreal, and the best bit is that the previously most decorated is actually my best friend! So it was great to be able to share that.

"It's been a lot of hard work, a lot of years put into it. Depending on how I'm feeling, I have some days where if I'm feeling strong the floor and vault are great because I've got that power, whereas other days we will break it down a little and just build up my confidence.

“My performance is improved and I'm enjoying gymnastics a lot more, and I think that really showed in my routines at the British Championships.

"I’m really aware that every competition I do could be the last time I get to compete, so I try and make the most of every moment."

Adjustments to her training and preparation, and pure determination amid close support from her coaches, Natasha admitted a little shock at how much she has achieved in the sport – and the personal pride she feels at her own journey:

“I think I can definitely say gymnastics saved my life, not only keeping me physically fit, but also mentally – thanks to my club and my coaches," said Natasha, who comes from Appleton but now lives in Nottingham and trains at Notts Gymnastics Academy.

"I learn something new and I want to learn the next thing, and I actually love that because it gives me the opportunity to continually improve.

“Gymnastics is that one thing that is constant in my life. If I'm not doing it, I'm watching it or talking about it – I just have that passion.

"If you've not found your passion, I think there's so many benefits for particularly younger gymnasts as well. It teaches them managing schoolwork and homework, and training, and dedication, and commitment.

“Especially for me, it’s all about not giving up, getting up every time you fall down – so it's not just the sport itself, it's the life lessons that you get to carry on afterwards.”

Gymnastics is a sport that welcomes people’s unique differences, skills and abilities. British Gymnastics is encouraging people to come and ‘Find Your Amazing’ and see what’s on offer near you by visiting www.british-gymnastics.org/discover.