I just like to hang out with my Daddy. Willow, two years old, is joined by her father Max Whitlock (gold medallist) in the gym

  • Willow Whitlock learns routines at the gym her dad Max has been training since he was 12.
  • Willow is from Basildon (Essex) and goes to the gym every week in a small group.
  • Max says that Max can perform handstands against a wall and forward rolls, as well as cartwheels at home.
  • Max has won six Olympic medals at three Games – gold in Tokyo, adding to his two golds and a bronze from Rio and two bronzes from London 2012










Even though she’s only three, Willow Whitlock has already taken her skills to the next level. Max is her gymnast father.

She seems to be focusing on the same skills that made her a triple Olympic gold medallist.

Willow is attempting to master the rings and has begun to learn other exercises at the gym her father trained in since the age of 12.

Whitlock has been putting in a lot of effort. He displayed an impressive display in Tokyo on the pommel horses to defend the Olympic title that he had won in Rio 2016.

She's not yet three but little Willow Whitlock (above, on the rings) is already taking it to the max. Just like her gymnast daddy, Max. For she appears to have started honing the skills that have made him a triple Olympic gold medallist

Although she’s still not three years old, Willow Whitlock (above on the rings), is already pushing herself to the limit. Max, her gymnast dad, is exactly like Willow Whitlock. Because she seems to have begun honing her skills, which have earned him three Olympic gold medals

Willow, on the pommel horse, is quickly learning other routines at the gym where her father (pictured with her) has trained since he was 12. The hard work has certainly paid off for Whitlock, 28, who gave a thrilling display on the pommel horse in Tokyo this summer to defend the Olympic title he won at Rio in 2016

Willow is learning new routines on the pommel horses at the gym her dad (pictured with him) trained her since she was 12 years old. Whitlock, 28 years old, has been putting in the hard yards to win the Olympic title in Tokyo. He displayed an impressive display on the pommel- horse this summer in Tokyo.

Father and daughter do handstands. Whitlock, who lives with wife Leah ¿ also a gymnast ¿ and Willow in Basildon, Essex, said: 'I've always said I'd like Willow to do gymnastics, even if it's just when she's young'

Handstands are performed by father and daughter. Whitlock, who lives with wife Leah – also a gymnast – and Willow in Basildon, Essex, said: ‘I’ve always said I’d like Willow to do gymnastics, even if it’s just when she’s young’

Willow tries out the parallel bars. 'She does quite a lot of sport ¿ swimming and tennis as well ¿ and loves it all. When she gets older she can pick out what she wants to do,' Max said

Willow tests out parallel bars. ‘She does quite a lot of sport – swimming and tennis as well – and loves it all. Max explained that Max will help her choose the right sport for her as she gets older.

Whitlock, who lives with wife Leah – also a gymnast – and Willow in Basildon, Essex, said: ‘I’ve always said I’d like Willow to do gymnastics, even if it’s just when she’s young. 

“She loves it. She attends the gym with a small group once per week.

Gymnastics can be one of the most popular starting sports. At home, she can perform handstands against walls and forward rolls. She also attempts cartwheels. 

‘She does quite a lot of sport – swimming and tennis as well – and loves it all. As she grows older, she will be able to choose what she likes. 

‘At the moment she is just having a go – and having great fun.’

Max, above, competing in Rio. He has won six Olympic medals at three Games ¿ gold in Tokyo, adding to his two golds and a bronze from Rio and two bronzes from London 2012

Max, above, competing in Rio. He has won six Olympic medals at three Games – gold in Tokyo, adding to his two golds and a bronze from Rio and two bronzes from London 2012

Pictured, Max with his gold medal in Tokyo. He said: 'Willow knows I do gymnastics and I was in something called the Olympics and I was in a place called Tokyo'

Max poses with his Tokyo Gold Medal. He said: ‘Willow knows I do gymnastics and I was in something called the Olympics and I was in a place called Tokyo’

Whitlock has won six Olympic medals at three Games – gold in Tokyo, adding to his two golds and a bronze from Rio and two bronzes from London 2012. 

His latest triumph memorably left Willow, who will be three in February, jumping for joy at home 6,000 miles away – even though she did not fully understand what was going on.

Wilow is aware that I practice gymnastics, and in an event called the Olympics. In Tokyo I was there. 

Whitlock stated, “She uses a mini-trampoline at home. She jumps on it. She holds on to the bar and pretends she’s like me.”

“She enjoys gold because it is cool and shiny. She is so young that she doesn’t care about it.

Whitlock, who hopes to participate in the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and World Championships, admitted that he has not resumed training from Tokyo, but has continued to do ‘normal stuff with his family. 

He said, “This is the longest period I have been away from gym during my career.”

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