World Record Achievement for Rhys

Commonwealth and European pommel horse champion, Olympian and now Guinness World Record Holder!  Congratulation to Rhys McClenaghan BEM (22), former SERC student who smashed the record for most Russian circles, or Wendeswings,  on a pommel horse.   Rhys successfully completed 42 in just one minute, beating the pervious record of 35.

The young man from Newtownards is an ambassador for Action Mental Health, and used the event to raise awareness of the local charity.

He told the Belfast Telegraph “I’m going to make use of the platform I have and do something special to raise awareness for Action Mental Health, and mental health in general. Achieving a Guinness World Record has been a dream of mine since I got my first World Record book in 2006. I’m very proud that I can not only achieve this dream for myself but hopefully bring some positivity to others’ lives by doing so, too.”

He added, “Action Mental Health has demonstrated to me their amazing efforts time and time again to help others, and it’s still one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen to date. I’m honoured to be supporting such an incredible charity.”

Lynda Robinson, SERC Deputy Head of School, Applied Science, Sport and Access to Education, said “We are immensely proud of Rhys and all that he’s accomplished so far in his career. A fantastic pommel horse competitor, Rhys continually shows why he’s one of the best in the world.   It is wonderful news to hear about his new Guinness World Record and magnanimous of him to raise awareness about mental health in the process."

Rhys McClenaghan: Irish gymnast breaks Russian circles world record - BBC Sport