GYMNASTDECEMBER 2014/ British Gymnastics Digital Magazine JANUARY 2015

A DAY AT THE 2014 BRITISH VETS

A YEAR TO REMEMBER CONTENTS WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE...

TWEET WALL BRITISH VETS 2014 This month’s tweets from our gymnasts Stories by Ben Lee, Anthony Beviss, Duncan Cousens and Alan Britten 4 2210

8 2014 A YEAR TO REMEMBER We look back at some of the standout medal winning moments from our senior heroes

SUBSCRIBE TO Copyright © 2014 THE MAGAZINE Published by British Gymnastics. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, RIGHT HERE electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without written permission LET’S GET SOCIAL, FOLLOW US HERE of British Gymnastics. Identification and naming of individual gymnasts on printed photographs is determinedby the information received and therefore cannot be guaranteed for accuracy. The views expressed by the individual contributors are not necessarily those of British Gymnastics. Equally the inclusion of advertisements in this magazine does not constitute endorsement by British Gymnastics of the products or services concerned. British Gymnastics is unable to recommend any product, guarantee that it is free of any banned substance or take any responsibility for any claims of effectiveness. Cover photo - Tweet Wall Nathan Bailey Welcome to our Georgie Hockenhull @NathanBailey93 Laur ord Dan K tings twitter wall. a Half ea Early Christmas with the @Ghockenhull Check out this awesome foursome, Before @Laura_Halford Rory McIlroy :) @DanKeatings issue’s tweets and Lewis is off to Japan to compete Might be on my own but I’m #sportsPersonality Me #gordonstrachan instagram’s from ! Good luck buddy… sat in the very front row!!! #SPOTY @samhodgkins #kennydalglish at our top stars... #bbcspotty2014 amazing evening

FOLLOW US instagram.com/ Nicole Short Claudia Fragapane britishgymnastics @Kelly_Simm official @jasminnicole94 @claudiafrag @brinnbevan Such an amazing night last @NileMW Such an amazing experience night at BBC SPOTY, and got Such an honour to be Young #nationalchristmasjumperday It’s beginning to look thankyou @nickhopebbc & a #spotyselfie with foggy Sports Personality of the Year a lot like Christmas @britgymnastics for the rubyharrold 2014 Thank you everyone for FOLLOW US invitation rachy.l #bbc your support @BritGymnastics

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ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS Senior British all-around champions were 2014 MAX WHITLOCK Max Whitlock and Rebecca Tunney. At the European Championships our senior men (Max Whitlock, Dan Purvis, , Kristian Thomas, Daniel Keatings) took team silver with Max Whitlock taking the pommel horse title, Dan Purvis the floor bronze, Sam Oldham high bar silver and Kristian Thomas the high bar bronze. The women’s team (, , Rebecca Downie, Rebecca Tunney, Claudia Fragapane) also took silver with Becky Downie being crowned the European uneven bars champion.

A YEAR TO REBECCA TUNNEY REMEMBER

2014 HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN A SENSATIONAL YEAR FOR BRITISH GYMNASTICS WITH OUR GYMNASTS MAKING THEIR MARK ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE STANDOUT MEDAL WINNING MOMENTS FROM OUR SENIOR HEROES…

GYMNAST 8 DISCOVER GET INVOLVED

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS The saw a remarkable Team men’s team won the gold medal five days of medal winning performances with with Team Scotland in the silver. In the all- British gymnasts having winning 11 of the 14 around event, Max Whitlock took the gold, Dan artistic gymnastics gold’s on offer. Team England Keatings the silver and Nile Wilson the bronze. (Claudia Fragapane, Rebecca Downie, Ruby On the floor, Max Whitlock took the gold medal. Harrold, Hannah Whelan, Kelly Simm) took the The pommel title went to Dan Keatings with women’s team title with Team Wales (Georgina Max Whitlock taking silver and the Hockenhull, Raer Theaker, Lizzie Beddoe, Angel bronze. took the rings bronze and Romaeo, Jessica Hogg) taking the bronze. Claudia Kristian Thomas the vault silver. Dan Purvis took Fragapane took the all-around title followed by the parallel bars gold, Nile Wilson the silver and teammates Ruby Harrold and Hannah Whelan. Max Whitlock the bronze. Nile Wilson took the Claudia then went on to take the floor and vault high bar gold and Kristian Thomas the silver. titles with Rebecca Downie taking bars gold and Ruby Harrold the bronze. Georgina Hockenhull At the 2014 World Championships Max Whitlock took the bronze on the beam. completed a memorable year by taking a sensational silver medal in the all-around event.

CLAUDIA NILE WILSON FRAGAPANE

“SOMETIMES YOU WONDER IF IT WILL EVER COME AND TODAY IT HAS, IT’S WORTH VERY MOMENT TO HAVE THIS MEDAL.”

BECKY DOWNIE

BECKY DOWNIE DON’T FORGET IF YOU ARE STAYING OVER YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SPECIAL BRITISH GYMNASTICS DISCOUNT RATE AT IHG® HOTELS. FIND OUT MORE AT IHG.COM/GYMNASTICS. TUMBLING GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS AEROBIC The senior British champions were Kristof FOR ALL GYMNASTICS Willerton and Lucie Colebeck. During 2014 we had our 11 GymFusion events in The Senior women’s British Champion was At the European Championships, Kristof Hemel Hempstead, , , Bristol, Kayleigh Silva. Bulmershe’s Ella Augier, Chloe Farrance Willerton took the gold medal in the men’s KRISTOF WILLERTON KRISTOF York, Guildford, Coventry, Derry/Londonderry and and Sophie Groves taking the senior trio title. event with Greg Townley taking silver. Lucie Newcastle. We had 5 teams/86 participants go Colebeck matched Kristof to win gold in the out to Sweden for the 9th EuroGym in July and women’s individual event with the team we had the 2nd Aspire to Shine event at Lilleshall (Rachael Letsche, Heather Cowell, Yasmin in August. We also had a team of 16 delegates Taite, Lucie Colebeck) also taking the top go out to Toulouse, for 4th Golden Age spot. Festival in September and October. Rachael Letsche became the World Champion to end a superb year for our tumbling team.

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TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS The senior British champions were Lewis Bartlett and Bryony Page.

At the European Championships, Luke Strong took an incredible bronze medal DISCOVER in the men’s event with Kat Driscoll taking silver in the women’s individual TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS competition and the women’s team (Kat Driscoll, Pamela Clark, Bryony Page, Laura Gallagher) also being crowned European Champions. GET INVOLVED

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“IT’S AN OVERWHELMING FEELING, I JUST CAN’T STOP CRYING!” RACHAEL LETSCHE DISCOVER TUMBLING GYMNASTICS GET INVOLVED

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RACHAEL

LUKE STRONG LUKE PAGE BRYONY LETSCHE LAURA HALFORD

RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS The senior British all-around champion was Laura Halford.

At the Commonwealth Games, Team Wales (Nikara Jenkines, Francesca Jones, Laura Halford) took the silver medal. Frankie Jones also had a sensational Games individually, taking the silver in the all-around, ball, hoop, clubs and became the ribbon Commonwealth Champion. Laura Halford took all-around bronze and ball bronze. FRANCESCA JONES

“IT’S HARD TO PUT INTO WORDS HOW AMAZING THIS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN, I’VE DISCOVER RHYTHMIC EXCEEDED ALL MY GYMNASTICS EXPECTATIONS” GET INVOLVED LAURA HALFORD #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS DISCOVER ACROBATIC GYMNASTICS GET INVOLVED DISABILITY #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS TEAMGYM Lilleshall National Sports Centre, the home of The Senior British Champions across all British Gymnastics, hosted the 2014 Disability apparatus, Men’s team – 1066, Women’s team – Artistic Gymnastics British Championships. Portsmouth and Mixed team - Basingstoke The Championships were a huge success with 44 gymnasts from 10 clubs across the UK taking part. ACROBATIC DISCOVER TEAMGYM GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS Senior British Combined Champions, Men’s Pair GET INVOLVED Kieran Whittle and Farai Bright- Garamukanwa, Women’s Pair Wigan Seagulls’ Tanya Johnson and #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS Shonagh Leatherbarrow. Mixed Pair Dominic Smith and Alice Upcott, Women’s Group Cicely Irwin, Jenifer Bailey and Josie Russell, Men’s Group Connor Bartlett, Gareth Wood, Daniel Cook and George Wood

DOUBLE-MINI At the World Championships, the women’s group of Elise Matthews, Georgia Lancaster and Millie TRAMPOLINE Spalding were crowned World Champions with The senior British champions were Nathaniel mixed pair Alice Upcott and Dominic Smith, men’s Scott and Nicole Short. group Connor Bartlett, Gareth Wood, Daniel Cook, George Wood taking silver and men’s pair Kieran At the European Championships the men’s team Whittle and Farai Bright- Garamukanwa the bronze. (Nathaniel Scott, Andrew Houston, Michael The GBR team which included the men’s and McNabb) and women’s team bronze (Georgia women’s groups and mixed pair also took the silver Downing, Nicole Short and Sapphire Dallard). medal. DISCOVER ELISE MATTHEWS, GEORGIA Georgia Downing also took the individual silver. DISABIITY LANCASTER & MILLIE SPALDING GYMNASTICS At the World Championships Nicole Short took the silver medal in the women’s final. GET INVOLVED #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS “ALL I THOUGHT ABOUT BEFORE WE WENT ON WAS DOING OURSELVES AND OUR COACHES PROUD.” ELISE MATTHEWS

DISCOVER DOUBLE-MINI TRAMPOLINE GYMNASTICS GET INVOLVED #DISCOVERGYMNASTICS ALICE UPCOTT & DOMINIC SMITH NATHANIEL SCOTT NICOLE SHORT WIGAN SEAGULLS ADULT GYMNASTICS The British Vets brought together a great range gymnasts for a social and competitive championships. With the aim being to provide an opportunity for anyone aged 18 and over - regardless of experience or ability - the chance to compete alongside their friends, the event was a huge success.

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#DISCOVERGYMNASTICS By Vera Atkinson

INTERVIEW BEN LEE 40 YEARS OLD - PHOTOGRAPHER

Originally, the idea was about fund raising for As for Emily, she has only voiced one word, the club with Antony and me performing “Awesome!” FATHERHOOD, as a men’s pair. Gradually it developed into a men’s four for the Vets. I knew Duncan would In fact all the kids at the club have given us ADULT GYMNASTICS be interested in getting involved, we just advice and coaching tips to help us progress needed to find a fourth man – Alan. At first he and we were lucky to have no less than 35 refused, but soon came round to our way of supporters in the crowd on the day! AND GOLD MEDALS thinking. We had the time of our lives at Lilleshall. In Both my children are acrobats at Honiton fact, we are still trying to come to terms with OUT OF THE BLUE GC and came to support us at Lilleshall. My the fact that we are now British Champions, youngest, Catie (9), is in a Grade 6 Women’s especially considering the fact that we started pair as a top and my eldest, Emily (12), is in training only three and a half months ago A DAY AT THE 2014 a Grade 4 women pair as a base. Both of with no gymnastic or competition experience them expressed extreme pride in watching other than watching our children! BRITISH VETS us perform and win gold. Catie has already told all of her teachers at school about it and We are now all hooked and keen to compete wants to take my medal in to show them. again next year! he famous King George VI Gymnastics the participants in the 2014 British Vets THall at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, almost doubled that of last year’s 117, where the top British men and women are demonstrating that gymnastics continues to forging their unbelievable successes, looked boom regardless of age, sex and ability. almost too small for all the 222 participants in the 2014 British Vets. Small, but bursting Encapsulating this perfectly was the men’s with positive energy and joy coming from acrobatic group from Honiton, all four 40+ every corner of the gym. As for the audience aged men, all parents of young acrobats on the balcony they came fully equipped from the club, none of whom had competed with banners, flags and horns, enough to before. Having started their preparation as produce a rousing atmosphere good enough a men’s group only three and half months for a world class event. prior they celebrated their British Vets title on the 1st November 2014, an honourable The theme of that particular Saturday was achievement. about adults celebrating gymnastics, men and women (between 19 and 65), the Here are the stories of Ben Lee, Anthony majority of whom caught the gymnastics Beviss, Duncan Cousens and Alan Britten as bug during their childhood, or youth and told by themselves. have never looked back. The number of

Photo - Ben Lee

GYMNAST 22 GYMNAST 23 ANTHONY BEVISS ALAN BRITTEN 42 YEARS OLD - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY DEALER 40 YEARS OLD - MANAGING DIRECTOR I think Ben has to take credit for getting the Classic in Stoke, so we’ve actually spent a men’s four together. Ben and me were first fair bit of time in recent months practising Credit has to go to Ben and Ant on getting us with her daughter Megan just to support us. in the team, but were never going to make it competition routines on adjacent floors in the together, remember I said no to start with but as a men’s pair so thank god her managed to gym. hey, look where we are now. Included within the club’s group were Buster rope in Duncan and Alan! Tutcher and Ashley Wallis (12-18 Men’s Pair), Charlotte commented that she was actually Sammy my eldest (18) competes with Keisha who choreographed our routines. To be honest I have a daughter, Charlotte (13) who is quite impressed with how technically well we and Charlotte (Ants Daughter) in a 12 - 18 it has been an absolutely brilliant experience currently competing as the top in a 12-18 performed our moves in the routines but she women’s trio and Jack my son (14) is in grade and I would recommend any one to try it and Women’s Trio. Her bases are Sammy Britten thinks we need to work on our timing in the 4 men’s pair with young Devon Lavery. They challenge themselves to do something similar! (Alan’s daughter) and Kaisha Dessalines- dance. Matthew was typically silent but Buster were there making loads of noise at the Wright. I also have a son, Matthew (12) who Tutcher (Honiton 12-18 Men’s Pair base) who weekend and loved every minute of it. A few days after the Veterans Championships is the top in a 12-18 Men’s Pair with Adam taught us the choreography from his own arrived the following signed - off statement Fullick. routines, said we did him proud and he was I received a text from Sammy saying “You make from the champions’ children: very pleased with our artistry scores. us proud to be Britons”. And my Jack turned to Charlotte, Matthew, Sammy and Kaisha were my wife Becky, who also travelled to Lilleshall EACH AND EVERY ONE all at Lilleshall this weekend to support us. adding, “I am so proud of dad!”. My family have OF US CAN AND DOES All of them also competed in the Pat Wade been brilliant putting up with the extra training and time away from home. OUTPERFORM OUR DADS IN GYMNASTIC TERMS! There were also a number of other gymnasts YET, EVERY ONE OF US IS from Honiton at the Vets who came along to 100% BEHIND OUR DADS’ DUNCAN support us, We even had one mum there, Lisa ENDEAVOURS AND PROUD COUSENS Jones, who isn’t related to any of us, but came OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT! 40 YEARS OLD - A WILDLIFE CHARITY I began helping Anthony with the rec group and to be part of all this is awesome. The overall and then joined the adults group, taking part in experience exceeded all our expectations; it was the Christmas display. The adult group I find to very exciting and tremendously enjoyable! be good for fitness, learning more to help with my ability to coach the kids and a good social All my kids go to the gym. Ilana (10) is in activity for me, we laugh as much as we train, Gemma Robertson’s group and Ellis (8) in Faye it is good fun. Mile’s group. They have been going for about two years, since the Olympics taster sessions. None of us had been to the Lilleshall before and They were both at the competition and were when we were told that we shall compete there mesmerised by our performances. Ellis and Ilana it was like: “Wow, but we don’t really belong both like to be positive and say how well I am there…” doing, even when I am not. So when Ellis says that we need some more work on the platform, There is a lot of camaraderie between the clubs I knew I was in trouble! and the gymnasts competing at the British Vets

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OUR FAVOURITE ARTICLE FROM OUR FEBRUARY 2014 ISSUE Matt: A life in gymnastics

Matt has been the front man of Squad training. As far as I can with the Club’s display team the BBC’s gymnastics coverage remember he retired from artistic at Durham’s Olympic Torch over the last five years, gymnastics because he grew much event to record a documentary including the too tall for a gymnast.” about his love of gymnastics. in Beijing 2008 and London Following the visit, where he Young adventurous Matt then MATT 2012. It is Matt’s passion, spent a few hours training with moved to the famous Deerness knowledge and enthusiasm for the club’s current gymnasts, Valley Acro Club and in 1994 our sport means he can bring he was approached by one won the British Championships gymnastics to the public like of the parents about taking in acrobatic gymnastics as no other. on the role of Patron to the BAKER part of a junior men’s group Durham Gymnastics Academy Born in Easington, County alongside Andrew Gibbins, and he accepted without Durham on 23 December 1977 Martyn Smith and Mark Flores. “Gymnastics is at hesitation, later saying: he was raised in the freedom and the space of a sheep farm. Head Coach of Deerness “This club is currently Matthew James Baker had a Gymnastics Academy, Karl home to World, European the heart of it all” surplus of energy which his Wharton remembers Matt’s time and British Acrobatic and mother, as with many other at the club: Tumbling champions but also mums in the world, tried to provides access to world-class Matt: The TV favourite channel into physical activity, “I remember coaching Matt training facilities to hundreds and so began his involvement nearly twenty years ago and have of youngsters every week wo years ago the Mirror newspaper in gymnastics classes. As Matt followed his career ever since. I taking part in recreational described the popular BBC TV presenter recalls: am very proud of the part that activities and club sessions. I Matt Baker as “Mr Wholesome” and this club has played in his life. He am honoured to be Patron of T “It was a very local gym when I a “baby-faced assassin” and it’s easy to always loved gymnastics and it is this charity and I hope I can started gymnastics; almost like see why. Tall and slender, physically well- testament to him as a person that be as valuable to them as the a village hall type. My mum took coordinated and skilful, he has never missed he is willing to support the club in gymnastics friends, families me there because I was climbing the opportunity to challenge himself: pole any way he can.” and volunteers who are so the walls at home. There haven’t vaulting, training as a stuntman, passing passionate about gymnastics been other gymnasts in the recruitment courses for the Royal Marines Matt returned to Deerness in that they run the club in their family at all and I was the first and the Parachute Regiment, world record 2012 after sharing the stage own time every day.” one to experience this sport.” breaking hand gliding, show jumping and to name just a few of Not long afterwards he became Matt’s countless adventures. a British junior gymnast impressing then Honorary As a presenter of the iconic National Coach, Lloyd (1999- 2006) he won two BAFTAs for Best Readhead: Children’s Presenter and a award. Since 2010 he has been a co- “He used to come to the centre presenter of and since 2011 The from the age of 10 until 14 One Show. and I remember him as a very talented and very elegant His irresistible smile and overwhelming gymnast. He was a boy with a charisma have sealed his image as one of the charming personality, polite and most popular personalities on British TV. sociable. His father was always

busy running the farm, and so it was his mother who used to Matt commentating with Dan Keatings and Beth drive him to the National Junior Tweddle for the BBC at the 2013 Glasgow World Cup

By Vera Atkinson Vera By Academy Gymnastics and Deerness Linda Gore Edwards, - Alan Photos GYMNAST 28 GYMNAST 29 Matt with Dan Keatings, checking over notes for the BBC at the 2013 Glasgow World Cup Matt: In his own words

“I grew up on a sheep farm and you put the hours in – you I suppose when I was young my will get the result. I learned life had quite a Billy Elliot style. that in the gym and I have I always chose to do something taken it to all the rest that which was challenging and followed in my life. That’s opposite to what everybody else why I was always keen to would be doing. For instance push myself as far as “Blue when my friends were asking Peter” was concerned. for mountain bikes I asked for Gymnastics is all about a unicycle, purely because I challenging yourself to see wanted to challenge myself and what you can do. Gymnastics do it, even as a young lad I was has also helped me a lot in juggling. the ease of communicating with adults which you For me it has never been about learn in the gym and winning. It has always been during all those travels for Now I am so happy with about having a go at something competitions and training. what I am doing. I know and really pushing myself Yes, gymnastics has been at I am very fortunate to the limit to see what I can the bottom of it all. in the way my career learn from those experiences. Lloyd Readhead, John has gone and so many “It is a joy for me to be part of this You may not win the gold but Atkinson, Craig Burton, opportunities have you win experience and self- sport and now to be able to say and try Shaun Potter, Michael Bone come up that I have confidence. You come to the and Austin and Karl... they taken on, I would to convince people - look this is a great point when you say, ‘You know were all brilliant people put all this down to what - I have learned this for who helped me become gymnastics.” sport!” myself.’ I was young and I was Matt Baker so passionate about able to learn the lesson that if “It has always gymnastics. been about having a go at something and really pushing myself to the limit to see what I can learn from those experiences.”

Matt Baker

Top and bottom: Matt (centre) with gymnasts from the Deerness Watch Matt talk about gymnastics as part of the BBC’s ‘Get Inspired’ series. Gymnastics Academy

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THE GYMNAST DIGITAL MAGAZINE VOLUME 52 ISSUE 10 Editor WHAT’S Tim Peake [email protected] Features Editor Olivia Howard COMING UP [email protected] Contributor Vera Atkinson [email protected] Design JANUARY MARCH Karen Uppal, Mark Young & Joanne Turner 18 31-01 22 08 27-29 BGtv TRAMPOLINE & TUMBLING GYMNASTICS FOR TRAMPOLINE, MEN’S & WOMEN’S Gareth Finchett, Daniel Dyche & TUMBLING NORTH Hartlepool Gymnastics Club, ALL - GYMFUSION TUMBLING ARTISTIC BRITISH Simon Carswell WEST REGIONAL Hartlepool The Lowry Theatre, Salford Jumpers Rebound Centre, CHAMPIONSHIPS [email protected] QUALIFICATION 1 Gillingham Echo Arena, Liverpool Robin Park Arena & Sports British Gymnastics Centre, Wigan FEBRUARY 22 Official Photographer CLUB DEVELOPMENT 08 SUBSCRIBE TO DAY EMGA WOMENS CLUB THE LATEST Alan Edwards 18 New College, Leicester GRADES 6 & 5 CALENDAR www.f2images.com LONDON GFA RULES 08 New College, Leicester DATES WORKSHOP GYMNASTICS FOR Advertising Allstarz Gymnastics Club, ALL - GYMFUSION 22 Anthony Cave Addington High School, Sportspace, Hemel Hempstead CAPTAINS DAY 13-15 London TRAINING MEN’S & WOMEN’S Cabbell Publishing Ltd, New College, Leicester ARTISTIC ENGLISH Wimbledon Studios, 16 CHAMPIONSHIPS 1 Deer Park Road, 22 PERFORMANCE Sir David Wallace Hall, London, CLUB DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY DAY 28-01 Loughborough University, SW19 3TL EVENING Europa Gymnastics Centre, LONDON WOMEN’S Loughborough T. 0203 6037934 K2 Crawley, Crawley Dartford ARTISTIC NDP [email protected] REGIONAL GRADES Published by 6-1 22 22 21-22 Heathrow Gym Club, Hounslow LONDON British Gymnastics CLUB DEVELOPMENT RHYTHMIC BRITISH REGIONAL ACRO Ford Hall, DAY QUALIFICATION CHAMPIONSHIPS Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Netherhall Sports Centre, TESTING Europa Gymnastics Centre, Newport, Cambridge St Martins School, Solihull Dartford Shropshire, TF10 9NB Tel 0345 1297129 Registered In England No. 1630001

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