Wanganui gymnast Jonathan Maples has claimed silver in the high bar at the National Gymnastics Championships in Blenheim.



He is one of seven Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club members representing the Manawatu-Wanganui region. The 11-year-old competing at level 5 qualified seventh before finishing 12th overall with a score of 83.250 from 30 gymnasts. His score of 15.6 in the high bar was enough to secure a silver medal. Maples is also a member of the U14 New Zealand National squad.



Meanwhile, 13-year-old Emma Rainey finished fifth out of 97 competitors on the vault in Step 5, while the vault was also the best apparatus for Cassandra Ellwood, 12, with a score of 13.2 in Step 5.



Millie Manning qualified eighth on the uneven bars and finished sixth of 51 gymnasts.

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It is the largest team Wanganui has sent to the nationals for some years.



Club president Knud Bukholt said all gymnasts had been training hard all year, representing the club at regional competitions and as far away as Auckland to achieve the required qualifying marks.



"Our provincial team is composed of athletes from two clubs, Manawatu Gymsports [Palmerston North] and our own club."