A YOUNG Andover boy is off to Russia for two weeks next year to receive gymnastics training from some of the country’s top coaches.

Daniel Burdock, from Burghclere Down, has been attending a gymnastics club since he was five and is now a member of the Southern Region Squad.

The young athlete, now aged eight, will head off to Russia at Easter with others from the squad for intensive training in all aspects of gymnastics including rings, vaults, floor, high bar, parallel bars and pummel.

Daniel, a year four pupil at Balksbury Junior School, has been a member of the Basingstoke Gymnastics Club since he moved to Andover three years ago and trains with them almost every day as well as attending the Southern squad once a month.

He is very excited about his upcoming trip to Russia and loves his artistic gymnastics which uses the equipment rather than simply doing tumbles on the floor.

“I can’t wait to go as I love gymnastics so much,” said Daniel, who has already picked out what Olympic medals he’d like to win.

His mum Tanith, who is also a fan of gymnastics, is thrilled for him.

She thinks it will be a wonderful experience for him.

“It’s a really good opportunity for him and as much as I’m going to miss him for those two weeks I can’t wait for him to go and experience it,” she said.

“The funny thing is he always used to like going to gymnastics club but when he watched the 2008 Olympics he had a new found interest in it and he is now determined to achieve.

“We’re looking forward to him being a future Olympian.”