Newlands gymnasts find their way to the winners podium

Lefido Acrobatic Gymnastics Club celebrates as its gymnasts recently brought back a whopping 41 medals through their recent participation at the South African Gym Games.

The club had 22 of its gymnasts compete and they formed 12 groups that ranged between levels five to 12. According the club’s Johan Truter, this competition is the highest level of competition for their level five and six gymnasts. “However, for our higher levels as from level seven this competition opens doors to international competitions later in 2024 , which we are working very hard towards,” he said.

The Newlands-based club received a whopping 15 gold medals, 15 silver and 11 bronze medals. To prepare for such events, Truter described how the young athletes go through months of preparation. Prior to this main event, they would have already competed in at least three club competitions to qualify for the Central Gauteng District Championships. From here, they qualify for the Gauteng Provincial Championships to then only qualify for the SA Gym Games. “Our gymnasts work really hard. Our level five to six gymnasts train three times a week, as well as extra days, a week before the competition, including Sundays. Our higher levels train four to six times a week.”

Truter explained that the club was established years ago to take children off the violent and drug-invested streets of Newlands and surrounding areas. Years later, the club is living up to this aim as it continues to keep children off the streets and proudly perched on the winners’ podium.

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