Lefido Gymnasts gun for international championships
The South African Gym Games is a national competition with the possibility of opening doors to international competitions, which these gymnasts are working hard towards.
Twenty-one gymnasts from Lefido Acrobatic Gymnastics Club (LAGC) recently competed in the South African Gym Games National Competition in a bid to qualify for the international competitions in 2024, and Roodepoort Record spoke to some of these gymnasts to find out more about this exotic sport.
LAGC was established in 2008 trading under Golden Lions Gymnastics Club established over 24 years ago in Newlands, Johannesburg, and aims to get children off the violent and drug-infested streets offering them something constructive to do.
Twelve groups and pairs between levels five and 12 participated in the competition and among these were gymnasts from Florida, Florida Park, Discovery and Helderkruin. The Record spoke to Ava Geldenhys (8) who said she loves to have fun, while Crisabelle Truter (13) said she loves the commitment and dedication gymnastics require.
According to Johann Truter a parent, and media liaison, the SA Gym Games is the higher level of competition for level five to level six gymnasts, however, from level seven, this competition can open doors to international competitions, which they are working very hard towards.
The gymnasts managed to scoop up a total of 41 medals at the games, with 15 gold medals, 15 silver medals, 11 bronze medals, and one in fifth place in level five.
While their training consisted of a four-to-five-hour session a week, preparing for the competition was daunting as they had to train three times a week for three to four hours.
“Our gymnasts work hard. Our level five to six gymnasts train three times a week and extra days a week before the competition and on Saturdays. Our higher levels train four to six times a week,” Johann said.
Gymnasts prepare for months for this competition, however, they need to compete in at least three club competitions to qualify for the Central Gauteng District Championships before they qualify for the Gauteng Provincial Championships and then qualify for the South African Gym Games.
Despite all the gymnasts doing extremely well at the nationals, some of the club’s top performers were level six to level 12 groups and pairs.
