Gymnasts are back with a bang

Local gymnasts Caitlin Rooskrantz and Courtney Noel are back from an unforgettable trip to the Junior Commonwealth Games in Namibia.
Allen’s Nek resident, Noel (15), and Rooskrantz (15) from Fairland competed in the tournament from 8 to 16 October, and from the onset, all they had aimed for was a chance to see the skills of gymnasts around the world and learn how their own abilities compare. Little did they know how successful they would be.
The budding gymnasts helped South Africa secure second place overall behind Wales, and ahead of New Zealand in third. Furthermore, Rooskrantz won second place in the overall individual gymnast category, for her silver medal on vault and bronze medal on bar. “It was one of my best competitions,” she said.
Rooskrantz thanked her coaches, friends, family and teammates for their support. “I definitely hope to build on this success in my career.”
Although Noel did not win any individual medals, she enjoyed contributing to team South Africa’s success and the overall experience. “I learned that I need to work harder and that I have skills I didn’t know I had,” she smiled.
The pair train at the Johannesburg Gymnastic Centre in Newlands, which also sent three other gymnasts to the competition. “I am happy with the result,” smiled the proud coach, Ilse Roets-Pelser.
“The competition was tough and they did very well.” She added that the girls proved to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee that they will be forces to contend with at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, if selected.
Details: Johannesburg Gymnastics Centre on jgcgymnastics@absamail.co.za or 083 634 6164.