Two gymnasts from Visions Gymnastics Club in Hillfox recently took part in a two-week long training camp in Tokyo, Japan.
Eugene Ngcobo (25) and Kevin Basson (24) took part in a national gymnastic competition and as the two gymnasts with the highest scores, they were chosen to partake in the training camp in November and December last year. Ngcobo was chosen to go to Japan as a gymnast and Basson as a coach. “We trained at the Ajinomoto Training Centre in Tokyo and stayed at the athletes’ village,” said Basson. He explained further that Olympic gymnastics coach, Yasunori Tachibana, was assigned to coach them. “He gave us an insight into Japanese gymnastics techniques and how to condition our bodies.”
Ngcobo and Basson were the only two South African gymnasts to take part in the training camp. Ngcobo has been taking part in gymnastics since he was 18 years old. “Being in Japan was a great experience. The camp made me more motivated. I hope to win a medal at the World Cup and partake in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia,” said Ngcobo. He is also a coach for the beginner boys’ group at the club.
“This was my first international camp as a coach. It was very educational and having an Olympic coach was very beneficial,” said Basson. He trained as a gymnast from the age of six until 16 and is currently coach of the high performance group of boys and girls ranging in ages from six to 25. He is also the Ngcobo’s coach. “I hope to continue coaching and make a name for myself.
Related articles: Top gymnasts to represent SA at All Africa Games https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/201866/top-gymnasts-to-represent-sa-at-all-africa-games
Details: Visions Gymnastics Club, 011 475 7198.
