Gymnastics enthusiasts see top quality action in Centurion
The Africa Safari International gymnastics competition in Centurion was a huge success and it has produced high-quality gymnastics.
The Africa Safari International artistic gymnastics competition in Centurion at the weekend yielded dazzling action.
The competition was a huge success and local gymnastics fans’ hunger for international action was proved already early last week when all the tickets were sold out days prior to the event.
A festive atmosphere has consistently ruled at the Centurion Gymnastics Club, where the event was held.
Elizabeth Cameron-Smith, president of the SA Gymnastics Federation, said the competition was a great success.
“It created an international experience, not only for the gymnasts, but also for the couches and judges. We are in the process to establish this competition as an annual event and a permanent fixture on the international gymnastics calendar. The application will be submitted to host the event in May rather than in July,” said Cameron Smith.
All the international gymnasts and coaches who attended this first Africa Safari International competition confirmed that they would be back next year. Teams from South Africa, Japan, Wales, Great Britain and Bangladesh were in action.
It was especially the performances of the Japanese and Welsh teams that gave the South African gymnasts a good idea of what it took to participate on this level.
Japan eventually won the ladies competition, while Wales finished second. The South African A-team ended third, followed by the South African B-team and Bangladesh.
Although there was no formal competition in the men’s event, a few South Africans and one gymnast of Great Britain teamed up against the Japanese team. In this section, the Japanese were also too good for their opponents.
In the individual all-around competition (scores on all apparatus added together) Japan dominated by winning gold and silver in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
In the women’s section, Japan’s Juri Kashiwagi (total score 52.150) won gold and her team mate Chiaki Hatakeda (52.100 points) took silver, while Jolie Ruckley from Wales (50.100) won the bronze.
The best SA performance was by Angela Maguire with a score of 47.900.
Kaito Imabayashi from Japan ended first among the men with 81.800. Another Japanese gymnast, Yoshiaki Furutani, was second with 81.250. SA’s Ruan Lange did well to secure a bronze medal.
Japanese gymnasts also dominated the individual apparatus finals. Angela Maguire and Ruan Lange were again South Africa’s best performers as they each managed to win two bronze medals in this division.
Caitlyn Rooskrantz and Luke James from South Africa also won a bronze medal each.
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