An acrobatic young football fan from South Norwood somersaulted his way to the World Cup Final in Japan last weekend, by winning a television competition.

Royal Russell pupil, Elliot Welch, 9, won a dream trip to watch Brazil play Germany on Sunday, June 30, having entered a competition on kids television programme SMTV.

Elliot sent in a home video of an acrobatic celebration he performed while playing football with his brother on a park. His cart-wheel, half-turn and forward somersault, skills learnt in training with the Croydon School of Gymnastics, impressed the judge, football legend Sir Geoff Hurst and he progressed to the second round.

The public then selected Elliot's and one other celebration, before he was invited to the studios to face three penalties from a celebrity panel including Eastenders' Terrible Trevor' and Sanjeev from the Kumars at Number 42.

Elliot saved all three kicks and soon he and father Aubrey were on their way to Japan. Rather ominously when Elliot was asked on live television who would win the tournament (before England had even played Brazil) the young gymnast predicted Brazil would win the trophy for the fifth time.

Having flown out to Japan in business class and checked into their five-star hotel in Tokyo, they took up their seats in among the Brazil fans on Sunday, June 30, to watch Ronaldo's two goals win the tournament.

Elliot told the Guardian: "It was really exciting because we were supporting Brazil. When they scored we were jumping up and down and the noise was really really loud."

"They even showed me and my dad jumping up and down on the big screen."

July 10, 2002 11:00