11 clubs for international Gymstars competition

Gymstars Gymnastics Club recently hosted an international competition with the participation of 150 gymnasts from 11 clubs - nine foreign and two Maltese.

There was a high level of competition with foreign gymnasts coming from England, Wales and Sweden.

The clubs of Olga, Tolworth, Europa and Meapa, with excellent performers like Natasha Gwalter, Samantha Golding, Lauren Lethbridge, Sasha Wright and others in their ranks, won most of the medals at stake.

The junior Gymstars girls were also impressive and continued showing progress after the recent fine showing in Holland.

Mia Vickery was at her best on vault and uneven bars where she won gold. Another gold went to Kirsty Caruana on floor and silver medals went to Tara Dalli, vault, and Martina Galea, beam. Nicole Pace, on floor, won a bronze medal and she was also third on beam.

Adreanna Zammit was just outside the medals' zone.

In D12+, Shannon Parker was second overall. Jessica Bugeja was also outstanding, finishing third overall as Corinne Gatt climbed the podium steps twice, finishing third on beam and floor.

In the boys' category, B7 Under, Karl Cumbo produced an encouraging performance, winning the overall title and also winning medals in all routines.

Ryan Busuttil was also prominent, finishing second overall in D8-11. Another Maltese gymnast who left his mark was Andrea Mugliett.

In other categories, Gymstars had Miguel Galea finishing second overall and Keith Gravino third. Simon Gravino captured silver on pommel horse and bronze on floor as Matthias Camilleri maintained the good form after finishing second on pommel horse.

In the boys' A 12-15, Jeremy Saywell, of Acro Jumpers, showed class on his way to finishing second overall and winning gold on floor, pommel horse and vault. His team-mate, Terence Gatt won gold on rings and Andre Buhagiar was first on vault.

Acro Jumpers also had Rochelle Gatt in the girls' C12-15. She produced a satisfactory performance and won a silver medal on beam.

Gymstars also fielded a team from Special Olympics.

Nathalie Galea and Brian Muscat made good use of the experience and should now be ready for the Special Olympic Games to be held in China in October.

Training camp

Gymstars also held a training camp with the presence of some foreign clubs along with several of their members and those of Acro Jumpers.

Gymstars coaches, Bulgarians Angelov Plamen, Matthew Stamat and Antonina Uzanova, and other foreign coaches conducted training on a professional basis.

Most of the foreigners had favourable comments at the end of the competition and training camp.

Pat Gale, of Tolworth, said: "We love coming here. This is our third year. What Gymnasts are doing here is amazing. The competition is always very well run."

Len Arnold, of Europa GC, said: "Well, I think the competition is fantastic. It is very important, especially for the Maltese, to have a chance to figure at this level without having to travel abroad.

"I have to say that the competition is one of the best I have been to."