Riccardo Colandrea was the big winner at the recent 2014 Memorial Competition in Novi Sad, a tournament for young gymnasts.
The competition provides exposure for young gymnasts to international competition.
Other participating countries in the artistic event include Austria, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Jordan and Romania.
Colandrea came home with six medals in the 11-12 year old category, two gold medals on the floor and vault, two silver medals on the rings and parallel bar and two bronze medals on the high bar and individual all-round.
Colandrea was one of three youngsters along with Juan Crous and Ben van Duivenbooden chosen to represent South Africa by the South African Gymnastics Federation.
Crous was in the 15-16 year old category, finished 10th in the indiviual all-round and finished 8th on the pommel.
van Duivenbooden was placed third on the floor, taking home a bronze medal in the 13-14 year old category and finished 10th in the individual all-round.
Colandrea was place third overall, making five apparatus finals.
Adele Heine who runs Visions Gymnastics where Colandrea and Crous train said she was proud of the young men.
“They have done exceptionally well and this shows that the young boys are on par with international standards,” said Heine.
