Charles vaults to gold at world champs
The Pinetown gymnast was the only athlete from the Highway area to take part in the inaugural World Trisome Games.
CHARLES Phillips won gold and was one of the 41 athletes that represented South Africa at the World Trisome Games recently.
This is the first Trisome games for people with Down syndrome and was held in Florence, Italy, from 17 to 25 July. These games will run in a four-year cycle.
The Trisome Games were created by Marco Borzacchini, president of the Italian Federation of Sports for Intellectually and Relationally Disabled, who believed the games will help challenge stereotypes surrounding Down syndrome athletes.
There were about 1 000 contenders from 36 countries taking part in the inaugural games. The athletes gave it their all to try to win the coveted gold medals in a series of categories from athletics to Futsal, judo, rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, swimming, synchronised swimming, tennis and table tennis.
Charles, who trains with the Pinetown Gymnastics Club, was the sole gymnast representing South Africa and was accompanied by his coach, Allan Chadwick. This is the third World event Charles has participated in. The level of competition has increased substantially each time. Charles was thrilled to win the gold medal for his vault at this year’s games.
“I loved everything about the competition and am currently working to go to the Down Syndrome World Championships,” said Charles.
His coach, Allan, said, “We trained really hard for this competition, six hours a week and he has made really good progress. We are now looking to catch up to the Russian and Australian teams.”
