Father-daughter duo aiming for calisthenics glory
BBCA father and daughter say they are aiming to be the "best in the world" at calisthenics as they both prepare for major competitions.
The exercise discipline involves participants using their own body weight as resistance.
James, 38, from Ilkeston in Derbyshire, was crowned UK National Champion in February and has since been invited to represent his country at the world championships.
Meanwhile his nine‑year‑old daughter Thea is aiming to be "as good" as her dad and became the UK National Champion in her age category on Saturday.
James told the BBC he took up calisthenics to build strength without using weights.
"It makes my everyday life easier," he said. "At work, I've got a very physical job and it makes my work a lot easier instead of just doing normal weights.
"It does push your body to the limits. I've trained with weights since I left school and now I'm probably stronger and fitter than I've ever been just by training through calisthenics."
The father of two is due to perform in the power category at the World Street Workout and Calisthenics Federation (WSWCF) World Championship, which involves pull-ups, push-ups, dips and squats.
The competition was due to take place in Rome in June but has been postponed, with organisers now hoping to stage it in Latvia later this year.
Thea said she had enjoyed taking up calisthenics because she got to spend time with her dad.
"I look up to him a lot and I want to be as good as him one day," she said.
"I just love doing it because I can train with my dad and it's fun."
James said he had not originally planned to compete in competitions following the death of his father, Steven, in August last year.
"My dad actually passed away before the regionals and I was struggling with a few injuries and I wasn't going to compete in them," he said.
"I finished third in the regionals, which gave me a lot of time to train for the nationals and luckily, I managed to get the win.
"I was going to miss this year because he passed away unexpectedly, but I decided to just push myself and compete.
"That's my goal, to be the best in the world."
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