Lowveld gymnastics stars excel in Malta
The group managed to stand tall among some of the best young gymnasts from around the world.
Four gymnasts of the Nelspruit Gymnastics Academy recently travelled to Malta to take part in a prestigious international competition against hundreds of gymnasts from around the world.
The International Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Competition was hosted by GymStars Gymnastics Club Malta at the Marsa Sports Complex in the Maltan town of Marsa from July 9 to 13. The competition was one of Malta’s biggest ever international gymnastics events as 300 participants from 28 clubs around the world took part in the prestigious multi-day competition.
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Among the 300 gymnasts invited were a handful of gymnasts from the Lowveld, all of whom train at Nelspruit Gymnastics Academy under the guidance of coaches Maré and Jaco Putter.
Jeanné Greeff, Anzél Moolman, Amoré Gerber, Carli Hopkins and Carmen Venter were all invited. Sadly Carmen was injured in Malta while preparing for competition and therefore ultimately could not participate*. The remaining four not only participated but shone bright!
In the category D class, 13 to 15 years old, Carli managed to finish seventh overall after taking on some of the world’s best in her age group. From there onwards, the Lowveld gymnasts’ results skyrocketed.
Amoré finished third overall in the category C class, 16+, earning a bronze medal on the beam apparatus. Anzel was fourth overall thanks to a gold on the beam, silver on the vault and a bronze on the bar, in the category D class, 16+.
Jeanné participated in the category E class, 13 to 15 years old, where there were only medals handed out for each apparatus, and no overall placings. She brought home four medals – gold on both the bar and vault, along with silver on both the beam and floor.
* In the print edition of Lowvelder, published on July 24, 2025, it was stated that Carmen Venter was injured prior to travelling to Malta. Although she was injured while still in South Africa, she recovered sufficiently to travel to Malta and take part, but unfortunately sustained another injury during competition preparation.
