The look of shock that swept across Page’s face was similar to the one she wore at Rio 2016 when she won her first Olympic medal.
On that occasion it was because she had achieved a British first – but this time it was because she forgot there was another gymnast to go and thought she had won gold earlier than she did.
“When I saw the score come up, I forgot I wasn’t the last person,” she laughed.
“So in that moment I knew I had won an Olympic medal and at the time I thought it was gold.
“So I was reacting to a really happy score and a really happy routine – at least if I didn’t become Olympic champion, I knew what it was going to feel like!”
The backdrop to every stunned reaction, though, is an injury-hit career and struggles with the sort of ‘twisties’ that artistic gymnast Simone Biles so famously went through at Tokyo 2020.
Back in 2008, Page experienced a similar mental block where she “got lost in a skill”, triggered by what she said was a lack of confidence in her ability.
It could have ended a career but Page said her stubbornness had helped her relearn all her skills, starting from the very basics.
“It sometimes crops up a little bit,” she said of the mental block.
“[There is an] element of injury risk in trampolining and [you have to] try to overcome that fear level because trampoline is exciting, it’s thrilling but with that comes a bit of bravery and fear.”
Gymnasts can soar eight to 10 metres into the air while completing their 10 skills – about the height of two double-decker buses.
“It was a really tough time not being able to do the skills I wanted to because my mental block was stopping me,” she added.
“But I kept going because I love the sport and wanted to get back to the standard I was at and with no regrets.”
Page has often spoken of her dream to join Cirque du Soleil and, even after winning gold, that is still on her mind – although not just yet.
“My plan is to continue [trampolining],” she said. “I love trampolining and I love trying new skills and I’ve still got a few more achievements that I want to achieve personally – new skills as well as some other competitions.”
Those competitions include next year’s synchronised trampoline at the World Games with British team-mate Isabelle Songhurst, who did not make it through qualifying here on Friday when she came 14th.
“Then after that, maybe Cirque du Soleil if they still want to have me as an older athlete. We’ll see,” Page added.
“Then I might try and make a comeback for [the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics] after Cirque.”
