This year, Highway Gardens-based Masters Gymnastics Club will celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Speaking to the head coach and former elite gymnast and ex-member of the Belarus National Acrobatic Gymnastics Team, Dmitry Demianenko, the NEWS learned more about the club’s history and how it was established.

He said it was a long and challenging journey, but every day has been worth it.

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“My father, Dr Yuri Demianenko, opened the club 30 years ago.

“Over the years, our gym has produced multiple national champions, international medallists, and finalists at major world events.

“Our journey was filled not only with national and international results, but also with moments of joy, hard work, disappointments, achievements, and most importantly, friendship and trust.”

He said the club teaches far more than skills and routines.

“We teach life lessons: respect, trust, ethics, and the importance of working toward meaningful goals.

“With our older generation of gymnasts, we’ve seen how many of them have become successful in life.

“Many have grown into confident, accomplished professionals with a clear vision for their future. That is deeply rewarding,” said Dmitry.

He explained that his father started with acrobatic gymnastics at the age of 10 years.

As a schoolboy, Yuri competed in Republican and All-Union competitions and tournaments.

At the 1968 USSR Championship, he became the champion among Candidates for the Master of Sport. During this event, together with his partner Sergey Saakov, he performed, for the first time in the world, a Forder-360.

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Dmitry said that for this achievement, Yuri received the trophy for the most difficult and original competition programme, presented by astronaut Vladislav Volkov, the president of Acrobatic Sport of the USSR.

In addition to this remarkable accomplishment, Yuri was awarded the title of Master of Sport of the USSR at a young age.

Speaking about his own passion for the sport, Dmitry said he fell in love with acrobatic gymnastics from the beginning.

“When I first arrived at the gymnastics school, I saw world-class medalists and champions training in front of me. Men’s, women’s, and mixed pairs, as well as women’s and men’s groups, were performing multiple somersaults, catching each other at great heights, balancing on one arm in extraordinary positions, all choreographed into beautiful routines. It was spectacular.

He said from that moment, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

“Today, I enjoy my career by sharing my knowledge and life experience with the gymnasts.

“I teach children not only to dream, but to set goals and work toward them. The daily process of achieving those goals is what makes this work meaningful,” said Dmitry.

Explaining the establishment of the club, Dmitry said, “As a family, we are former gymnasts who competed at top-level events in our time. Naturally, we grew up within the system of structured training and education.

“I am proud to say that my father has a wealth of knowledge and experience in gymnastics. He studied at the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Physical Culture in Moscow, and after years dedicated to sport, science, and research, he earned his PhD.”

It was Yuri’s vision to open a club where he could share his knowledge and expertise through daily training.

The club is built on the principles of human interaction: respect, manners, goal-setting, and achievement across all ages and levels.

“Our system supports children and youth not only in sport but also in everyday life. They grow into goal-oriented individuals with a clear drive to reach new heights,” said Dmitry.

Explaining what acrobatic gymnastics is, Dmitry said it is one of the eight internationally recognised gymnastics disciplines under the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

He said it is a partner–based discipline where pairs or groups of gymnasts perform choreographed routines that combine balance, lifts, throws, catches, dance, and tumbling, all set to music.

The sport relies heavily on trust, timing, strength, and artistry, and it is practised worldwide.

This discipline is for boys and girls, ladies and men.

He said it combines the strength of men and the beauty of ladies.

“The beauty of acrobatic gymnastics lies in its variety, something no other discipline offers to the same extent,” highlighted Dmitry.

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Dmitry said at the Masters Gymnastics Club, lessons are available for children from the age of three through to adults

He said that for adults, the training differs from traditional weight training. It focuses on gymnastics-based skills, which makes it both enjoyable and physically rewarding.

“We look at everything. It’s important to remember that the human body is adaptable; flexibility and strength can be developed.

“We train on the gymnastics floor and on trampolines. The trampoline is the second discipline we offer for both gymnasts and adults,” said Dmitry.

Speaking about the club’s plans for the year ahead, Dmitry said they will continue developing both new and established gymnasts.

“Our focus is on preparing athletes for national and international events, and some of our gymnasts will be trialling for world-level competition.

“As always, through fun exercises and consistent commitment to training, our gymnasts will keep moving forward toward their goals.”

He thanked the City of Ekurhuleni, specifically the Sports Department, for their continuous support in developing not only high-performance gymnasts, but also children and adults of all backgrounds and age groups.
Contact 083 247 1652 for more information about the club.