Gymnasts grab medals at Kapiti

Competitive gymnasts from the Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club performed very well at the Kapiti Gymsports championships held on June 29 and 30.

Wanganui, one of 13 clubs competing from the wider Wellington region and the Manawatu, overcame strong competition to grab several placings and medals.

The gymnasts are all back in the gym this week training for the Wanganui Open Artistic Championships which will be hosted by the Wanganui club this Saturday and Sunday at their gym at GF Moore Drive, Springvale Park.

It is a Gymsports New Zealand national championships qualifier and it will be an exciting competition, with more than 150 competitors expected from clubs in Hastings, Hawera, Levin, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Rimutaka, Waitara and Wanganui.

"This is a great opportunity to showcase the Wanganui club's talent," said club administration manager Liz Munroe.

At this competition the boys will compete on floor, vault, rings, pommel, high bar and parallel bars while the girls compete on floor, vault, bars, and beam.

"All are welcome to come along and watch. The competition is open to the public with entry fee $2 for adults (over 16), children $1 and under 5s free. A programme is available at $2," said Munroe.

The girls compete on Saturday and the boys on Sunday, starting at 9am on both days.

"The WBGGC will be running a sausage sizzle to help raise funds for their nationals team competing in Napier in October, and there will be raffles running throughout the weekend. The cafe will be open to the public also."

She said the gym club wanted to thank all the sponsors of each round, "Wanganui Toyota, Richdale Fire & Security, TRS Tyre & Wheel, R T King Trimming, Emmetts Truck Services and Ginza Bargains Superstore".

For more information see www.wanganuigymclub.co.nz

Highlights

Crista Yum, Step 1: 3rd on vault, 3rd on floor, 2nd on bar, 1st on beam and 1st overall; Troy Rea, Level 2: 3rd on rings, 3rd on vault, 1st on floor, 1st on pommel, 1st on parallel bars, 1st on high bar and 1st overall; Chase Morpeth, Level 2: 3rd on high bar; Timara Wallace, Step 4: 1st on floor and 3rd overall; Jesse De Vincentis, Level 5: 3rd on pommel and 2nd on rings; Jonathan Maples, Level 6: 2nd on floor, 2nd on p bars, 1st on rings, 1st on vault and 3rd overall; Genna Maples, Step 6: 3rd on bar, 3rd on beam, 1st on vault and 2nd overall.