Lawrence will be competing at the Commonwealth Games for the first time

Essex gymnast Danny Lawrence is targeting a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Lawrence, 26, is one of three from the South Essex Gymnastics Club competing in India - team-mates Reiss Beckford and Max Whitlock are also in the squad.

Lawrence, from Leigh, told BBC Essex: "I've had the experience of the big competitions now, I'd like to be going out there to win a medal.

"From a team point of view, we can certainly bring gold home."

He added: "Every gymnast wants to try and do the four major competitions, the Europeans, the World Championships, the Commonwealth and also the Olympics."

"I would have done all of those, bar the Olympics, come the end of the month so I'm pretty excited."

Lawrence is a firefighter when he is not in training and his employers have allowed him to compete in Delhi.

"They've allowed me to go to the Commonwealth Games on special leave so its a unique opportunity," he said.

Despite the absence of Chinese and Russian gymnasts at the games, Lawrence still believes the competition will be very tough.

"We're up against the Australians and Canadians, its one of the most prestigious competitions," he said.

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