Lukisha strikes gold in USA
After the closing of the world’s biggest games events like the Olympics and the recent Commonwealth Games, the country is looking forward to see who will be the next generation of future Olympic jewels in the crown.
ALBERTON – The pearl among the future jewels, is the only way to describe a young gymnast from Alberton, Lukisha Schalk.
She has just returned from the USA, where she struck gold by scooping up four gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in a world event in the USA. She was also crowned as the SA Junior Olympic Champion for 2014.
When reflecting back on the greatest Olympic gymnastics achievements of all time, 14-year old Nadia Comanechi of Romania’s perfect ten at the 1976 Olympic Games in Moscow as a magnificent spectacle of grace and skills, it stands as a cut above the rest. Then one cannot resist thinking about Lukisha and future Olympic dreams come into one’s eyes.
Lukisha was part of a team of 28 gymnasts from the esteemed Johannesburg Gymnastics Club (JGC) that competed in the 2014 USAIGC United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Club (USAIGC) World Gymnastics Championship in Orlando, Florida.
A total of 1 350 Gymnasts representing five countries, USA, Bermuda, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. It was described as the largest championship of USAIGC to date, and the competition brought out the best of the best. There were several competition levels and divisions, as well as different age groups ranging from seven years up to 17 and older.
The numbers in each category were very large and the standard was high, with several gymnasts qualifying across all ages and levels. Lukisha participated in the Platinum Division 12 to 13 years, and qualified for the finals on all four apparatus (vault, bars, beam and floor). Her final individual apparatus scores were: vault 9.3000, uneven bars 9.4250, beam 9.2000 and floor 8.7500; resulting in the first place standing with a remarkable total average of 36.6750.
These results earned her the four gold medals – for vault, bar, beam and team, a silver medal in the Individual All-Round finals and a sixth bronze medal on floor.
This superb achievement in the USA must have spurred her on, as she went on to be crowned the SA Junior Olympic Champion for 2014 in the SA National WAG Championship within a week of returning back from the USA, with a resounding final victory score of 47.60.
The SA National Women Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Championship is an annual national competition of all the South African provinces’ top gymnasts to compete for the championship in the various competitive levels and formats of gymnastics for men and women. This year it was held in Klerksdorp in July 2014.
The next major trials for selection for upcoming international competitions will be held in September, and Lukisha is hopeful to be competing in either one or more countries such as Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and Serbia later this year.
“We thank Ulwazi Group, and in particular Mr and Mrs Mabizela, for their unwavering support and generous contributions towards Lukisha’s international exposure programs in her skills development. Your continued support and contributions will open many new opportunities for her to participate in highly distinguished and invaluable tournaments in future,” said her proud parents, Wilfred and Yvonne Schalk.
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Lukisha Schalk in a nutshell:
This 13-year-old achieved the following:
* SA National Junior Olympics Champion – July 2014
* Winner of six medals at USAIGC Championship – June 2014
* Double silver medallist at 12th African Gymnastics Junior Championship – March 2014
* International training and competitions in USA, Australia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Zimbabwe and Namibia
And the future:
* Short-term goals: TopGym International, Belgium – October 2014
* Gymnix International, Canada – February 2015
* Medium-term goals: Youth Commonwealth Games, Europe – 2015
* Long-term goals: Olympics, Japan – 2020
