Woking Gymnastics Club member Ben Porter has been selected to represent Team GB at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar this November, becoming the first gymnast in the club’s history to be selected for the Games.

He is one of just six gymnasts selected for the Great Britain Team and will compete in the team event.

“I’m very honoured to have been selected to represent Team GB at the Youth Olympics in Dakar,” said Ben.

“I feel very excited to show off all my hard work and show the world what I’m capable of doing.

“It’s thanks to the continued support of everyone at Woking Gymnastics Club, in particular my personal coach Craig Woodhams.

“I’m looking forward to making many great memories along the way.”

Held every four years, the Youth Olympic Games gives athletes aged 14 to 18 the chance to compete against the best young talent in the world, and for some, marks the start of a journey towards the senior Olympics.

This year’s Games, the fourth edition of the summer Youth Olympic, will bring together around 2,700 athletes across 25 sports in Dakar, Senegal, the first Olympic Games of any kind to be held in Africa.

Ben is part of a strong team made from three boys and three girls. He will compete in the team event, hopes to qualify for the all-round competition, and one boy and one girl from the squad will then be selected for the mixed team event.

He leaves for Dakar on November 3 and is due to compete on November 7, 9 and 10, with a possible fourth appearance on November 11.

Ben’s road to Dakar has not been without setbacks.

“Ben has worked extremely hard over the past few years and has overcome a number of injuries,” said Craig Woodhams, his personal coach.

“He was selected as a reserve for the recent European Championships and showed great maturity and professionalism as he prepared his routines for an event he ultimately didn’t attend.

“The Youth Olympics is such an exciting opportunity to take part in a multi-sport event and show his class against some of the best young athletes in the world.”

“Ben has shown great determination and resilience,” said Simon Elliot, head of Woking Gymnastics Club’s Men’s Elite Gymnastics.

“To be selected for the Youth Olympics is testament to his strong character, and we couldn’t be prouder of his amazing achievement.”