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Kukri Sports ambassador Megan Kealy has made history, becoming Britain’s first-ever tumbling World Games champion after winning gold in the women’s tumbling event.
The games, held in Chengdu, China from 7 – 17 August, saw British Gymnastics take home four memorable medals with some standout performances.
For the 25-year-old gymnast, the moment was not just about a medal – it was about resilience, redemption and proving what is possible when you refuse to give up.
“To be honest, it feels so crazy and so surreal – I cannot believe it,” she said.
“I didn’t know I was the first British World Games champion in tumbling at the time, I feel very honoured and proud to have made history.”
A Personal Triumph and Milestone for the Sport
Having missed out on competing at the previous games due to injury, the triumph carries extra meaning for Megan.
She entered this one determined to simply perform at her best, and to come away with gold not only validated her years of perseverance – it also shone a spotlight on her discipline and the support of British Gymnastics.
“As a non-Olympic sport, this is our version of the Olympics,” she explained.
“It doesn’t happen very often, so I hope it helps people recognise our sport more and see how strong Great Britain is in tumbling.”
Building a Lasting Legacy
Megan has long spoken about her desire to build a legacy, something this victory now firmly establishes.
Yet for her, the legacy is not only about medals but about resilience.
“I hope I’ve shown athletes across the world that no matter how hard times can get, you should never quit on a bad day,” she said.
“If you want something badly enough, give it everything you’ve got, because you may not know what you can achieve.”
From Childhood Dream to Global Stage
Looking back, Megan’s journey began simply with a love for gymnastics. Watching British coach Mike Barnes win silver at the 2009 World Games gave her a dream: to one day stand on that stage herself.
“As a little girl, I just loved gymnastics. After seeing that moment, I knew the World Games was the pinnacle of our sport,” she said.
“To just get the spot for Great Britain, I knew little me would have been so proud. The medal just added to it all, really.”
The Team Behind the Champion
Megan was also quick to acknowledge the coaches, physios and family members who helped her through the inevitable setbacks of elite sport.
“My team have been the biggest support to me. The build-up for the past 10 weeks was full of injuries and hard times, but they got me through that.
“There are not enough words to thank them for what they have done.”
Living in the moment
So what comes next for Britain’s first-ever tumbling World Games champion and Kukri ambassador? For now, she is happy to savour the moment.
“I’m still unsure of what happens. No door is closed yet, but for now, I want to just enjoy this moment.”
Kukri congratulates Megan on this historic achievement, and is proud to support her and the British Gymnastics team.
