Skill and technique were demonstrated when 77 level one, two and three gymnasts from Nelspruit Gymnastics Academy participated in the first preparation competition.

It is the first competition of the season, held on Saturday at Hoërskool Bergvlam NGA hall.

Nelspruit Gymnastics Academy’s head coach, Maré Putter, said the gymnasts worked hard to achieve their goals to get a bronze, silver or gold medal, according to their average on all four apparatus.

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“The level one to three gymnasts need to compete against themselves. Not to focus on the outcome, but they need to be task-orientated to try and perfect their skills. This way they will be able to better their average score.

“The value of gymnastics is much more than receiving a medal. To fall and stand up is a characteristic far more important than anything else. The gymnasts learn perseverance, discipline, concentration on top of all the physical development,” she said.

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The next preparation competition for level one to three for provincial trials will be on May 4, and for Mpumalanga trials it will be on May 11.

Putter said the NGA coaches and 16 judges did a great job. “I would like to thank them for making a difference in children’s lives,” she said.

Results

Boys
Five gold, 10 silver and two bronze medals

Girls
Twenty-six gold, 25 silver and nine bronze.