SA Gymnastics Games success for local gymnasts

Local gymnasts of the Edenvale based Gym Masters Gymnasts and Masters Gymnasts clubs took part in the annual South African Gymnastics Games.

The event was held in Tshwane from October 1 to 7.

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The clubs were well represented, making up just over half of the Eastern Gauteng team in trampoline and a large portion of the regional team in the acrobatics discipline.

The gymnasts showed their quality, in the process racking up numerous medals, with the gold medal winners earning the title of South African champion.

Also read: Edenvale acrobats and trampolinists excel

Of the 24 trampolinists who took part in a total of 47 events, they won a total of 25 medals comprising of 15 gold, seven silver and three bronze.

This is the clubs’ best showing at a national championship by some margin, having bettered the medal count from the previous best in 2016.

Also read: Competition hones acrobats’ skills

In the acrobatic gymnastics events, seven groups won their categories, one group achieved second place and one group received a bronze.

The gymnasts who competed in the SA Gymnastics Games had to go through various qualifying competitions in order to earn the right to compete in the Games.

They also received Eastern Gauteng Colours for representing the region.

In addition, four trampolinists took part in a trial to represent Team SA at the Region 5 competition in Namibia in December.

Ethan Strydom and Ryan Last made the team, with Tatum De Oliveira and Thomas Kruger making reserve places.

The majority of the gymnasts are from the Edenvale and Bedfordview areas, whilst some also reside in Boksburg, Kempton Park, Kensington and Dunkeld.

The gymnasts practice at the Highway Gardens Community Centre and are coached by the Demianenko family and assisted by Michelle Sharples and Kimona Moodley.

The gymnasts were Madison Emerton, Madison Carletti, Nathaniel Harrage-Moore, Ethan Kotlar, Chloe Gouws, Lana Röttcher, Leira Ahmed, Mason Pratt, Yianni Livanos, Jorgina Liversage, Katherine Williams, Melina Themistocleous, Abigail Last, Ruby Crawley, Gia Visagie, Megan van Zyl, Caitlin Howes, Tatum De Oliveira, Keenen Hewson, Ethan Strydom, Thomas Kruger, Joshua Marais, Ryan Last, Damon Röttcher, Holly Houseman, Charlotte Morgan, Leyah Frost Strydom, Tshiamo Oliphant, Hannah van der Vyver, Micah Crawley, Skye van Schalkwyk, Claire Thomas and Zandri Swanepoel.