Adam Tobin has been through three years of pain, rehab and doubts but everything is falling into place for the Devon gymnast just in time for his Commonwealth debut.
At 25, the Westward Ho! athlete has had to be patient because of a shoulder issue that has lingered for the past three years.
When he was a junior, Tobin was a contemporary of Jake Jarman, an Olympic silver medallist and double world champion who won four Commonwealth golds at Birmingham 2022.
But their paths to the highest level have diverged since, with Tobin earning a European bronze medal in 2023 before having his progress stalled by injury.
He explained: “It's definitely taken longer than I expected, but sitting here now knowing I'm going to represent England at the Commonwealth Games makes it all worthwhile. “It's been a long journey, and I'm incredibly proud to have reached this point.
Since 2023 I've had ongoing shoulder problems, along with a few other niggles. The shoulders have been the biggest issue.
“It's frustrating because you feel like you're making progress and then something happens that stops you performing at your best. But I've stuck to the rehabilitation, stayed patient and kept believing there was light at the end of the tunnel.
“Shoulder injuries are unfortunately quite common in gymnastics, but I'm proud of myself for sticking with it.
“There’s definitely relief. It's not just the physical side, when you’ve got these injuries and setbacks, it’s a bit demoralising. There is self-doubt, you wonder am I going to make it back? Am I going to be as good as where I left off? It’s a horrible place to be.”
Thankfully for Tobin, whose support from The National Lottery assists with full-time training, access to the world's best coaches, and pioneering technology, science and medical support, the light at the end of the tunnel is a place on the Team England roster at Glasgow 2026.
Four years ago in Birmingham, the English men came away with seven of the eight gold medals on offer in the gymnastics, headlined by Jarman’s exploits.
A year later, Tobin was crowned British all-around champion, and it is his ability to perform across the apparatus that is his greatest strength ahead of the biggest competition of his career to date.
He said: “For the last three years, I haven't really been able to compete as a fully fit all-around gymnast. This year is the first time I've properly got back to that, and it almost feels like everything has been building towards this moment.
“My body's healthy, I've got great support from my family and the staff around me, and things are finally coming together.
“When I step out onto the competition floor, it won't just be about me. It'll feel like all of those people (who have supported me) are out there with me because they've all played a part in helping me get here.
“My biggest goal is the all-around final. I've never really been someone who specialises in one apparatus. Instead, I've always tried to be consistently strong across all the events, and that's what has made me an all-around gymnast.
“The team competition comes first, then the all-around, and anything else after that is a bonus.”
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