‘Heartbroken’ Claudia Fragapane ruled out of 2018 Commonwealth Games with Achilles injury

The gymnast starred at the 2014 Commonwealths in Glasgow aged 16, winning four gold medals, and was expected to make a big impact on Australia’s Gold Coast

Claudia Fragapane competing at the Rio Olympics (Getty Images)

Great Britain will be without one of their leading medal contenders at next month’s Commonwealth Games after a devastated Claudia Fragapane revealed she tore her Achilles tendon in training.

The gymnast starred at the 2014 Commonwealths in Glasgow aged 16, winning four gold medals, and was expected to make a big impact on Australia’s Gold Coast, where the 2018 Games begin on 4 April.

“Yesterday, I was on the floor and I felt something go on take-off and sadly I have snapped my Achilles,” Fragapane said. “I feel so upset and heartbroken, words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now.

“I don’t know when I will be back competing again but I have the greatest people around me that will help me recover mentally and physically. This won’t be the end for me, I will come back stronger.”

The news means the 20-year-old is also ruled out of this month’s British Championships as well as the Gymnastics World Cup.