Benoni gymnasts compete in China

The two events, in their ninth and 25th editions respectively, feature the world’s best junior and senior acrobatic gymnasts, contesting for world titles in the various age group and senior competition categories.

Benoni has three junior gymnasts and two senior gymnasts participating at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) accredited events.

All five gymnasts hail from Benoni acrobatic gymnastics club Gymfinity.

In the World Age Group Competition women’s group, Kayla Marais, Rachel Nell and Tanith Havenga (featuring in the 12-18 category) are flying the Benoni flag.

It is the first time that these juniors have competed at the competition.

Armand Koekemoer and Noelle Geeringh are participating at the World Championships as South Africa’s top senior mixed pair.

It is the pair’s first appearance together at a World Championship.

At 27 years old, Koekemoer is the most experienced acrobatic gymnast in the country, with Geeringh (16) having competed at two previous World Age Group competitions. He is also the junior coach.

The South African Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) acrobatic programme manager, Adri Koekemoer, who has travelled with the team as coach and head of delegation, said: “I have all my faith in all the South Africa gymnasts to do their best at events.

“They will make South Africa proud and I am hoping that we will come back with at least one group/pair in the finals.

“All the coaches and gymnasts have put in the necessary hard work to make it possible to compete at the two competitions.”