Six bring back 11-medal haul

Travelling medallists: The six gymnasts from Gisborne Trampoline Club who travelled to the Icon Champs in Auckland and brought back a total of 11 medals were (from left) Connor Brooks, Sophie Rolls, Lily Arnold, Porsha Warren-Hillman, Haley Rolls and Jaxon Pardoe. Picture by Liam Clayton

A TEAM of six gymnasts from Gisborne Trampoline Club travelled to the Icon Champs in Auckland and bagged seven gold medals, three silver and one bronze.

This was the club's last competition for the season and was also a qualifying competition for the national champs to be held in Tauranga in July 2023.

Qualification at this event also gave gymnasts a chance to qualify for the Australian nationals on the Gold Coast from May 7 to 22, 2023, and the world champs being held in Birmingham, England, from November 9 to 12, 2023.

Lily Arnold set the standard by winning the women's FIG (Federation Internationale de Gymnastique) 15-and-16-year double mini and taking out the silver in trampolining in the same international group.

Her performances gained her qualification for both the New Zealand and Australian nationals.

FIG is now used as a basis for all levels of trampolining.

Next up was Haley Rolls, whose work on increasing her skill level showed with her victory on trampoline in FIG 11-12yrs. She then added another gold on double mini FIG 11-12yrs. Her solid performances also earned her qualification for the New Zealand and Australian nationals.

Jaxon Pardoe's hard work over the past couple of months paid off when he won gold on trampoline FIG 11-12yrs and on double mini FIG 11-12yrs. These performances added his name as a Hawke's Bay-Poverty Bay representative for the New Zealand nationals and as a qualifier for the Australian nationals.

Having three gymnasts qualifying so early for the Australian nationals is a great result.

Porsha Warren-Hillman put on stellar performances to take gold in both disciplines in the 10-and-under division but as she is not yet 11 years of age, she cannot qualify for the New Zealand team to Australia. Porsha is competing at a level of difficulty that is very high for her age and well above her age-group, but she will have to wait until she is 11 years old to represent New Zealand.

Sophie Rolls, competing in the 10-and-under division, took silver in both trampoline and double mini.

Next up was Connor Brooks. who did well in his age group by adding a bronze on double mini to complete the tally.

The competition did not have a power tumbling section but in Auckland from March 3 to 5 next year the three trampoline qualifiers will be aiming to add qualification for the power tumbling New Zealand team.