Teenage gymnast Shantae Amankwaah, from Bristol, is poised to make her Commonwealth Games debut, hoping to emulate the success of former clubmate Claudia Fragapane. Twelve years after Fragapane burst onto the scene in Glasgow, securing four gold medals as a then-unknown teenager, Amankwaah is preparing for her own bow at the same competition, which returns to the Scottish city. The 17-year-old, who trains at the renowned Bristol Hawks gymnastics club, expressed that competing at the Games feels "surreal," having long admired Fragapane's achievements.
Amankwaah, the youngest gymnast in Team England's squad, is scheduled to compete in the uneven bars, beam, and floor disciplines, with her competition beginning this Friday. Her burgeoning career has already seen significant milestones, including being crowned British junior all-around champion in 2024 and securing a bronze medal in the senior women's all-around category at the British Championships earlier this year. Despite these accolades, the Commonwealth Games represent a substantial leap forward, and Amankwaah's immediate goal is to fully embrace the experience. She acknowledged that securing a medal would be a bonus, but emphasised the importance of enjoying the moment with her team.
The young gymnast has received valuable advice from Fragapane, who retired in 2024. Fragapane highlighted the difficulty of even making the team and encouraged Amankwaah to enjoy herself and cherish the memories, warning how quickly time passes. Beyond Fragapane's mentorship, Amankwaah benefits from a family rich in sporting talent. Her grandmother, Rose, was a former sprinter, once dubbed "the fastest woman in Africa," and represented Ghana at the Commonwealth Games. Her father, Kevin, enjoyed a distinguished professional football career, making over 400 appearances in the English Football League for clubs such as Bristol City, Swindon, Swansea, and Exeter.
Kevin Amankwaah, now a qualified personal trainer, not only assists with his daughter's training programmes but also provides crucial mental and strategic support honed from his own professional sporting experience. Shantae credits her father with helping her navigate the challenges of sport, offering motivation and guidance, particularly with pre-competition nerves. She explained that he understands when to give her space and offers the right words of wisdom to help her perform at her best. However, Shantae also shared that her parents, especially her father, find it challenging to contain their nerves while watching her compete, sometimes even struggling to film her routines due to their desire for her success.
The family's collective wisdom and support are clearly a significant asset for Amankwaah as she steps onto the international stage. Her parents view this debut as an invaluable experience, aiming to minimise pressure and allow her to fully enjoy the moment while she is still young. This debut marks an exciting chapter for British gymnastics, with Amankwaah poised to make her mark following in the footsteps of a celebrated predecessor.