Levin's gymnasts tumbling to success

ON POINT: Levin gymnasts Ashley Snow, Emily Hyland and Letisha Royal-Strawbridge excel at local tournament.

More than 230 junior gymnasts tumbled into town recently for the Levin Gymnastics Club's annual regional competition.

The third annual competition hosted boys and girls from Wellington to Taihape.

The junior gymnasts competed over two days, with Levin's competitive squad yielding excellent results.

Levin's Step 4 gymnast Ashley Snow placed second overall, first place on beam and second place on vault. Step 3 gymnast Zahara Slatter placed first on bars at her level.

Step 2 gymnast Mikayla Williams placed third on the vault.

Coach Louise McCarthy said all of the gymnasts from Horowhenua made a fantastic effort both competing in the competition and assisting in hosting the competition.

"Our young gymnasts excelled on and off the mat. They were all given jobs to do outside of competing and they worked really hard all weekend. I was so appreciative."

Every gymnast is required to compete on multiple apparatus, four events for the female gymnasts and six for the male gymnasts, Mrs McCarthy said.

"Each apparatus requires a different skill set and it requires many hours of training for the gymnast to become confident and proficient at each event."

Gymnasts memorise routines for each event and are judged for technique and execution.

They must qualify to advance to the next level. Mrs McCarthy said the competition was a great success. All funds raised will go towards purchasing new equipment for the club.