Zanis awards gymnasts, celebrates 25 years of excellence

This year’s annual prize giving of Zanis Gymnastics Academy was an extra special occasion where several gymnasts were not only awarded trophies for their top performance during the year but the club also celebrated its 25th year in existence.
Gymnasts on all levels were awarded the past week on respective days with the senior gymnasts receiving their trophies last Thursday evening.
Head Coach and co-owner, Zani Prinsloo said the club is privileged and the success of the past 25 years was achieved through the grace of God. “For the first time in seven years Zanis was able to host a cross tumble event again. As the senior gymnasts finished their career we were no longer to able to host cross tumble. Now for the first time we had enough senior gymnasts to form a team to participate in the event,” Prinsloo said.
She congratulated all gymnasts on their awards as well as their parents for supporting them.
The following awards were made:
Artistic girls
Mia van der Merwe, best progress level 1; Lejane Bredenkamp, best level 1 gymnast at North Zone Championships; Leané Lourens, best level 2 gymnast at North Zone Championships; Viné van den Heever, best level 3 at North Zone Championships; Sanja Pretorius, best level 4 to 6 gymnast at SA Gym Games; Lara Prenzler, most hardworking gymnast. Xanri Steenkamp and Cleo-Anne Manamela share the trophy for longstanding membership – both 12 years.
Artistic boys
Zaeem Cassim, best level 1 gymnast at North Zone Championships; Lulu Mathoba best improvement level 1; Zack Schnell, highest apparatus score at North Zone Championships level 1; Julian Lombard, best level 2 u.9 gymnast at North Zone Championships; Berco van der Linde, best level 2 over 9 gymnast at North Zone Championships; Caleb Braack, most progressed primary school gymnast; Martin Botha, best primary school gymnast at SA Gym Games and Liam Botha and Kyle Herz share the trophy for best high school gymnast at SA Gym Games. Ayden Venter and Pedri Neethling share the trophy for best level 3 gymnast at North Zone Championships.
Rhythmic
Reatlegile Ledwaba, best level 1 u.7 provincial gymnast; Jeanell Malan, best level 1 u.7 interprovincial gymnast; Naledi Jantjies, best level 1 u.8 interprovincial gymnast; Lehlogonolo Semenya, best level 1 u.9 interprovincial gymnast; Lepsy Chuene, best level 2 u.8 interprovincial gymnast; Thato Moena, best level 2 u.9 interprovincial gymnast; Mikaila Jacobs, best level 3 interprovincial gymnast; Melchizedek Maponya, best primary school level 4 to 7 gymnast at SA Gym Games and Monene Kelly, best high school gymnast at SA Gym Games.
Trampoline
Elizmarie Miller, best level 1 beginner and Leandré du Preez, Trampoline Gymnast of the Year.

Story and photos: RC Myburgh
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Featured photo: Level 1 to 3 artistic gymnasts awarded trophies. In front are Ayden Venter, Zaeem Cassim, Zack Schnell, Lulu Matoba, Julian Lombard and Berco van der Linde. In the middle are Lejané Bredenkamp, Leané Lourens, Leandré du Preez, Viné van den Heever, Elizmarie Miller en Mia van der Merwe. At the back are coaches Tanya Bouwman, Annemarie du Plessis, Cecil van den Bergh, Zani Prinsloo and Lesley Bonne.