National Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Durban gymnasts rake in medals at international champs
Seven gymnasts from Durban competed in the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics (DSIGO) World Championships which were held in Tshwane.
OCTOBER is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments.
This October, we celebrate gymnasts with Down syndrome from Durban who made the country proud and raked in medals at the Down Syndrome International Gymnastics (DSIGO) World Championships held in Tshwane.
Competing in the senior section, Charles Phillips returned with four bronze medals while Viwe Mthembu, a junior gymnast, received a president’s award for demonstrating the spirit of the games for his vault performance.
The first gymnast with Down syndrome to start in Pinetown was Charles Phillips, in 2000, at the age of 11.
Chairman of the Gymnastics South Africa Local Organising Committee, Allan Chadwick, said these classes have become the highlight of the boys’ week and are headed by their outstanding coach, Faricao Moses, and assisted by Gerand Petersen. They both have a wonderful combination of energy, patience and enthusiasm for the young gymnasts.
Also read: World Down Syndrome Day: With us, not for us
Chadwick thanked local NPO DownsideUp who have been subsidising their training fees and now paid their entry into these World Champs.
The fourth edition of the DSIGO saw athletes from six nations take part. The countries included South Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bulgaria, Argentina and the United States of America.
Chadwick, who is also the Pinetown Gymnastics Club manager, said the DSIGO Gymnastics World Championships stand out for their commitment to inclusion and empowerment.
Featuring both artistic gymnastics (male and female) and rhythmic gymnastics (female) events, each with varying levels of difficulty and distinct judging criteria, the competition champions the physical excellence and empowerment of individuals with Down syndrome.
Also read: Local resident shares insight on Down Syndrome
“I believe it was an outstanding success on all fronts. Team SA visitors were very positive, with three teams extending their stay in South Africa. For the federation, it gave us a kickstart to move our disability programmes forward into the front and centre. The volunteer and LOC team were given valuable insight and experience in the hosting of disability events. Many found it to be a moving and humbling experience.”
“I must admit, there were some surprising results at the event. Take Charles Phillips, for example, who went from no medals in Italy in December 2022 to winning four medals at this event.
“There was also an impressive performance by the senior Women’s Artistic Gymnast from Mexico – Maria Barbara Wetzel Aguilar. She had an exceptionally clean competition and managed to hold off the experienced Chelsea Werner from the USA,” added Chadwick.
For all the results, please click here: https://gymnasticssa.co.za/results#
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