Harry Hepworth: Meet the Leeds medal-winning gymnast who overcame Legg–Calve–Perthes disease

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Olympians Harry Hepworth and Luke Whitehouse were given a heroes’ welcome on their return to Leeds on a golden evening this week.

The two Leeds Gymnastics Club members, who flew the flag loud and proud in Paris, were greeted by a packed out Whitkirk Cricket Club on Wednesday evening.

Leeds lad Harry, 20, had a bit of metal around his neck, proudly showing off the Olympic bronze medal he won in the men’s vault final at Paris’ Bercy Arena a week last Saturday.

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Olympians Luke Whitehouse (left) and Harry Hepworth (right) were given a heroes’ welcome on their return to Leeds this week. Photos: The PHA GroupOlympians Luke Whitehouse (left) and Harry Hepworth (right) were given a heroes’ welcome on their return to Leeds this week. Photos: The PHA Group
Olympians Luke Whitehouse (left) and Harry Hepworth (right) were given a heroes’ welcome on their return to Leeds this week. Photos: The PHA Group | The PHA Group

And sidekick Luke was all smiles too, the 22-year-old from Halifax who joined forces with Harry and British gymnastics legend Max Whitlock to finish fourth in the team final before scoring a sixth-place finish in the floor final.

Their success on the highest stage is a notable achievement for Leeds Gymnastics Club which has been their home for more than a decade and is a venue where 2,000 local gymnasts train every week.

Such is the pride the club has in the boys, they couldn’t even fit this grand homecoming into their venue at Seacroft, and had to move it down the road to the local cricket club.

“I didn’t know that many people could fit into such a small space, it’s nuts,” laughed bronze medallist Harry after he and Luke had conducted a Q&A with fans in the clubhouse. 

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“It’s a good turnout from the club to welcome us back. We wouldn’t be here without any of these guys. We’re both very grateful.”

Luke added: “It’s amazing, I didn’t expect this many people to be here, thank you to everyone at Leeds Gymnastics Club for being here today.”

The precious bit of metal around Harry’s neck attracted the gaze of everyone present.

“It’s surreal to have this around my neck,” beamed Harry as he looked down. 

“It’s not sunk in yet and I don’t think it ever will.”

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As well as sporting memories to last a lifetime, the boys also had a brush with acting superstardom in their Paris experience.

“We didn’t get to go to the opening ceremony so we all went to the closing ceremony,” said Luke, who along with Harry took up the British Olympic Association’s offer to go back to the French capital on Eurostar for the closing ceremony. 

“We got to meet Tom Cruise, so that was pretty cool. We saw him flying down the side of the stadium.

“It was just an amazing experience.”

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