Boys shine in Charleroi

Young male gymnasts from Gymstars Club recently took part in an international competition in Belgium and returned home with some remarkable results.

The competition, in Charerloi, was the 14th Challenge International and had an entry of around 180 boys from Malta, Italy, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.

The Gymstars boys took part in three categories. They all left their mark but Ryan Busuttil was the most prominent. Not only did he finish first overall, but Busuttil also won gold medals on the pommel and rings besides second placings in floor, vault and bars.

Nicky Vassallo showed notable progress when he took the gold medal on floor and parallel bars and silver on rings and bronze on vault.

Simon Gravino was twice on the podium. He was first in vault and third on the pommel.

The combined efforts of Busuttil, Vassallo and Gravino were enough for the trio to finish second overall in the teams' event.

In other categories, Gymstars' boys continued to confirm their potential with high hopes for the future.

Karl Cumbo, in particular, returned home with five first places - on pommel, parallel bars, bars, rings and vault - and Keith Gravino was first in floor exercies and second on pommel horse, rings and vault.

On their part, Camilleri brothers, Matthias and Isaac, maintained their upward trend by winning eight medals between them.

Matthias was fourth overall but placed first on the pommel and third on vault and parallel bars.

Isaac was second overall, after winning gold on parallel bars and floor, and silver medals on the pommel horse and vault.

In a statement, Gymstars said they were encouraged by the creditable showing of their boys' team in Belgium. The club has already been invited for next year's competition and intend to send a team of gymnasts that will develop from the 2010 programme.