Eight gymnasts of Parys 20 Four 7 Trampoline Club proudly showed-off their provincial team uniform at the South African National Trampoline Gymnastics Championship held in Cape Town. More than 3 000 gymnasts from across the country competed over the 10 days during the September school holidays.

Parys’ gymnasts, coached by high-level coaches, Star Mapeka and Thato Machobane, competed in 15 events. Despite stiff competition they ranked among the top 10 in 14 of the 15 events.

In nine events they ranked top five, with three gymnasts who made podium. Etheon Bampa received a gold and silver medal, Mielandri van Niekerk won silver, and Declan Bampa won bronze in two events. Etheon, a level eight gymnast, also managed to make the team in both his events for the Region five games with South Africa competing against five countries in Zimbabwe from 8-13 December.

Parys’ trampoline gymnasts earned the following positions:

Mielandri van Niekerk: Double-mini-trampoline Girls 6-8 years Level 4 – 2nd
Etheon Bampa:
Double mini-trampoline Boys 15 years+ Level 8 – 2nd; Euro Trampoline Boys 15 years+ Level 8 – 1st
Declan Bampa:
Double-mini-Trampoline Boys 11-12 years Level 4 – 3rd, Euro trampoline Boys 11-12 years – 3rd
Eckhardt van Niekerk: Double mini-trampoline Boys 6-10 years Level 6 – 5th; Euro trampoline Boys 9-10 years Level 4 – 7th
Dewald Venter:
Double mini-trampoline Boys 11-12 years Level 6 5th; Euro Trampoline Boys 11-12 years Level 6 – 4th
Juandré Vosloo:
Double-mini-trampoline Boys 6-10 years Level6-6th; Euro trampoline Boys 9-10 years Level 4 – 6th
Rihané Downey:
Double-mini-trampoline Girls 13-14 years Level 4 – 4th; Euro trampoline Girls 13-14 years Level 4 – 8th
Joalize van der Westhuizen: Double-mini-Trampoline Girls 11-12 years Level 6 – 9th; Euro trampoline Girls 11-12 years Level 4 – 16th

Owner of the club Charmain van Niekerk said she is proud that both Star and Thato were part of the officials for the Free State team at the SA Gym games.

The championships were held at the Wynberg Military Base stadium. It was the first time in five years that the City of Cape Town hosted the championships.