Mixed fortunes for SA gymnasts Chris Remkes and Clay Stephens, as one targets rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and the other prepares for third knee reconstruction

A pair of SA gymnasts are experiencing mixed fortunes after a series of devastating setbacks on the world stage, as one eyes a spot at next year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics and the other returns to the injury comeback trail.

• South Australia’s Tokyo Olympics hopefuls
• How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription

A year of devastating setbacks for a pair of SA gymnasts who grew up as friendly rivals has left one clinging to a rekindled Olympic dream and the other on the injury comeback trail.

Chris Remkes and Clay Stephens each ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments within the space of two days at different competitions last March, all but ending their Tokyo 2020 hopes.

US-based Stephens is now awaiting another knee reconstruction – the third of his career – after again sustaining the same problem during his return to action two months ago.

Remkes meanwhile is self-isolating on a farm in country NSW, working out alone in a deserted paddock with one eye on next year’s rescheduled Games.

But the duo, who became training partners and opponents a decade earlier in the state’s junior talent squads at Marion, are maintaining their close bond in challenging times.

“It was really tough for him (Stephens) to do his knee for a third time,” reigning Commonwealth champion Remkes said.

SA gymnast Chris Remkes’ Tokyo Olympics hopes have been rekindled, after the Games were postponed until next year due to the coronavirus. Picture: Kym Smith

“It was pretty unlucky and it’s obviously a bit hard for him at the moment.

“But we’ve known each other for years and I spoke to him a week or so ago.

“He’s very strong-minded and he’s very persistent in what he wants to do, so I’m pretty positive for him.

“I’ve still got my fingers crossed, hoping I can qualify (for the Olympics).

“But it’s a bit hard, because I’m not even sure when I’ll be competing next.”

Stephens had fully recovered from the injury he picked up in an NCAA event with the University of Illinois last year, when he joined the field at February’s Melbourne World Cup.

The elation of putting a gruelling rehabilitation process behind him soon turned to anguish for the 22-year-old, after he narrowly missed a spot in the floor and rings finals.

Scans revealed Stephens had torn the ACL, medial collateral ligament, meniscus and part of the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Croweater Clay Stephens returned to action at February’s World Cup in Melbourne, 11 months on from rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Picture: Supplied

Clay Stephens after sustaining another serious knee injury during his comeback event. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

It followed a similar blow to the same joint at the 2017 world championships in Canada.

Stephens had gone under the knife to fix his MCL, but was now on standby for another ACL operation as the coronavirus crisis in America delayed most elective surgery.

Happy Valley-raised Remkes returned at the same meet, opting to compete in the

pommel, instead of his favoured vault, as it put less stress on his lower body.

While disappointed with finishing 22nd, he came through the test unscathed, 11 months on from the mistimed landing at the Qatar World Cup that initially derailed his Olympic plans.

It raised the prospect of Remkes once more challenging for a Tokyo berth, whenever world gymnastics resumes from its COVID-19 suspension.

“It wasn’t my best performance,” said the 147cm, 47kg pocket-rocket, who rose to the top of the world vault rankings last year.

“But it was good to just get out there, even though I didn’t do my main event.

Chris Remkes at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, where he won gold in the vault. Picture: AFP Photo/Ye Aung Thu

“I’m still not quite there (100 per cent) just yet.

“I had started to bump up the training load, when my knee started to swell up so I had to pull back a bit.

“After Melbourne, I started to bump up the numbers again and then the whole COVID-19 thing started happening.

“I may still have a chance of getting in (to the Olympics).

“It’s just a matter of time really.”

The International Gymnastics Federation last week confirmed athletes who had already filled 75 per cent of the 324 Olympic places on offer would retain their Games spots.

It meant Remkes, 23, needed to shine at the remaining four World Cup meets, which were yet to be reprogrammed, to earn a ticket to Tokyo next July.

The indefinite closure of the Australian Institute of Sport last month due to coronavirus concerns left the ex-Hamilton Secondary College student without access to training facilities.

US-based Clay Stephens competing in the rings at the Melbourne World Cup. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

He had since relocated to a friend’s property in Griffith, fours hour drive from his Canberra home, where he was using a patch of grass to maintain fitness while learning a new hobby.

“It was a bit spontaneous,” said Remkes, who spent the first two years of his life in a Filipino orphanage, before being adopted by an Adelaide couple.

“We were driving back from the supermarket one day and we just happened to see an open guitar shop.

“I ended up walking out with a $400 ukulele.

“I’ve learnt three songs and I’ve been playing them over and over again to try and get better.

“I’m actually finding it pretty nice to get away for a bit.

“Where I’m living at the moment in Canberra our house is quite small and the backyard is not really a backyard.

“It’s good to have a bigger area to train and not worry about being in contact with a lot of people in public.”