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Interview: Team England rhythmic gymnast Stephani Sherlock

Sports Mole chats to young rhythmic gymnast Stephani Sherlock about competing for England at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

England's rhythmic gymnastics team are likely to come away from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games a little deflated after they failed to emulate their team bronze medal from Delhi four years ago, finishing in an agonising fourth place in Thursday's final.

For Stephani Sherlock though, it was her first big Games at the age of 17 and she was able to qualify for both the individual all-around final and two of the four apparatus finals today - hoop and ball.

Sports Mole caught up with the Russian-born gymnast, who moved to England at the age of 13 and is now based at the Esprit club in Swindon, to discuss her Commonwealth experience and goals for the future.

England's Stephani Sherlock during the individual ball final on July 25, 2014© Getty Images

How are you feeling after today?

"I'm feeling just so proud of myself to make these finals. Just to be here is fantastic because being in the top eight out of the whole Commonwealth is amazing. The crowd was fantastic and I just enjoyed each moment, even if I didn't do everything that I could and made some mistakes. I still feel happy for myself and really proud. The whole experience is just unbelievable really."

Overall, are you happy with your performances in Glasgow?

"Well, yeah, I am happy. It's a big confidence boost for me [to perform] in such a big arena. It's my first kind of competition at this high level and also considering I started gymnastics quite late when I was 10 years old and everyone else starts so much earlier. I kind of had to catch up and work harder than everyone else."

Stephani Sherlock of England at SECC Precinct during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 24, 2014 in Glasgow, United Kingdom© Getty Images

Do you feel that you've learnt some things at these Games?

"Yeah, these games helped me and they will be such a great foundation for my future and all other competitions. This experience is just invaluable, I can't tell you how much everything means - the atmosphere, the preparation, all these routines and all this time on the floor."

What's the next big goal? Would you like to qualify for the Rio Olympics with Team GB?

"Of course I want to, that's my dream and I'll work really hard to get there. We'll see what happens, who knows?"

What about right now? Your teammate Lynne Hutchinson is still to come in the ribbon final...

"Team England has one more routine with Lynne's ribbon and I'm really looking forward to that. I wish her the best of luck and I hope that she does really well."

Sherlock finished 11th in yesterday's all-around final before registering seventh-place finishes in both the hoop and ball disciplines at this morning's apparatus finals.

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Stephani Sherlock of England at SECC Precinct during day one of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 24, 2014 in Glasgow, United Kingdom
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