Several promising young black gymnasts showed their mettle at the weekend’s acro-gymnastics nationals, which were held at Ermelo in Mpumalanga.
With the absence of 2004 world star Monique Steglen and Esther Beukes due to injury, Elizke Blofield, a 12-year-old pupil at Laerskool Delmas, and Alexander Demianenko stole the show with brilliant routines to finish with a world-class score of 55,182 (out of 60).
Central Gauteng’s Matome Tshishonga and Edwin Ascherdof scored above 25 for both their dynamic and balance routines (51) to beat North Gauteng’s Thabo Nkadawire and Morris Sibanda (24,950), who only competed in the balance section.
If the South African Gymnastics Federation only sends serious medal contenders to next year’s world event in Portugal, a junior Protea team, selected on merit, could comprise a majority of black acro-gymnasts. — Sapa