Part I: Gold Medal Gymnastics, Skybound Gymnastics, Southport Gymnastics Club, Delta Gymnastics Athletes and Gold Coast Gymnastics named in top 30 gymnasts
The Bulletin reveals the Gold Coasters with the greatest mix of strength, flexibility, agility, co-ordination, dedication and endurance for one of the city’s most competitive sports. SEE WHO MADE THE LIST
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The Bulletin has revealed the Gold Coasters with the greatest mix of strength, flexibility, agility, co-ordination, dedication and endurance for one of the city’s most competitive sports.
Today is part one of our series looking at the Gold Coast’s top 30 gymnasts.
Part two and three of this special report will be available over the next two Mondays at Goldcoastbulletin.com.au.
DELTA GYMNASTICS ATHLETES
Ella McCormack, 10
Ella is a level 5 gymnast at Delta St Hilda’s and recently won gold at the State Championships for Brisbane North in the Regional Team Challenge.
Ella said she began gymnastics when she was four and fell in love with competing and training with friends.
“I love learning new skills with my coach,” she said.
Ella said she recently mastered the level five bar routine, which was her specialty.
“I am now working on new skills,” she said.
Ella said she was training four days a week for three hours to hopefully make it to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
“I think people believe we can just do the tricks and skills straight away,” she said.
“We actually have to do lots of strength and conditioning to build up to the skills.”
Ella’s team leader Lauren Norton said she was constantly working towards her next level.
“She absolutely lives and breathes gymnastics,” Ms Norton said.
“She is dedicated, hard working and a big inspirations for our developing gymnasts.”
Georgia Godwin, 24
Team leader Lauren Norton was full of praise for elite competitor Georgia – a two-time Commonwealth Games team member, Tokyo Olympian and six-times national champion.
Ms Norton said Georgia holds eight Commonwealth Games career medals which makes her equal to Australia’s best and is the individual all-around Commonwealth Games champion.
“Georgia is incredibly inspiring to the Australian gymnastics community and we are so lucky to have her leading the way in our sport,” she said.
GOLD COAST BULLETIN’S TOP 50 DANCERS PART I
GOLD MEDAL GYMNASTICS TEAM
Skylar Hersel, 6
“(Skylar is) a little pocket rocket,” Gold Medal Gymnastics head coach Bughy Uruci said.
“Skylar is super keen to learn and full of life and energy.”
Mr Uruci said Skylar was one of their most talented younger gymnasts and can see great things in her future.
Skylar told the Bulletin she only started gymnastics a year ago and was learning how to master the bars.
TOP 50 MARTIAL ARTS STUDENTS ON THE GOLD COAST
Olivia Vanderkemp, 13
Gold Medal Gymnastics head coach Bughy Uruci said Olivia previously trained in the US and was an asset to their club.
“She is a quiet achiever, works hard and is always consistent,” she said.
“She is very dedicated and we are seeing great improvement.”
ELITE RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Kamila Zalogin, 12
Kamila is currently ranked No.2 for her age group in Australia.
Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics director and head coach Akoulia Rollington said she was well decorated when it comes to competitions.
“She competed at the National Clubs Carnival in September and won second place overall and a silver medal in her ribbon routine.”
Jorja Lee, 10
Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics director and head coach Akoulia Rollington said Jorja was ranked the fourth in Australia for her age group.
Jorja recently competed in the National Clubs Carnival and won two bronze medals in her clubs and freehand routine the Level seven junior division.
GOLD COAST GYMNASTICS
Kate Parsons, 23
Kate is the only Level 10 representative for women’s artistic gymnastics competing at the 2022 National Clubs carnival for Gold Coast Gymnastics this year.
Tumbling Team Lead Jamie Broadbent said Kate was an inspiration for younger athletes.
“Her dedication and perseverance to battle through injury after being unable to compete for the past four years, both the physical and mental sides of it, has been very inspiring to our younger athletes,” he said.
PART II: GOLD COAST’S BEST DANCERS
Jada Illiff, 9
Tumbling Team Lead Jamie Broadbent said Jade was one of their most talented up and coming junior athletes at Gold Coast Gymnastics.
He said Jada was recently crowned level five Gold Coast Regional Champion in women’s artistic gymnastics and was selected for the Queensland State team in tumbling.
SOUTHPORT GYMNASTICS CLUB
Sarah See, 7
Southport Gymnastics Club secretary Melinda Rogers said Sarah See was one of their rising stars.
Ms Rogers said Sarah only began competing this year and received a “handful” of blue ribbons.
“Her favourite apparatus is the uneven bars and she has her sights set on achieving a round-off back handspring by the end of the year,” she said.
Melodey Bean, 11
Southport Gymnastics Club secretary Melinda Rogers said Melodey fell in love with gymnastics when she was six.
She said Melodey was competing in level four and recently achieved her goal of placing top 10 in the state at the Gymnastics Queensland State Championships.
“Melodey trains 16 hours a week and has achieved some impressive results,” Ms Rogers said.
“Melodey believes the only person you should compare to yourself to is you."
SKYBOUND GYMNASTICS
Joshua de Beer, 15
Team leader Win Jun Lee said Josh was an one of their most talented athletes.
“He has the uncanny ability to make everyone around him laugh and have them in hysterics,” he said.
PART III: GOLD COAST’S BEST DANCERS
Alexander Capp, 15
“(Alexander is) the hardest worker in the gym,” team leader Win Jun Lee said.
“Alex will always be the first and last person jumping in the gym.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Part I: Gold Medal Gymnastics, Skybound Gymnastics, Southport Gymnastics Club, Delta Gymnastics Athletes and Gold Coast Gymnastics named in top 30 gymnasts
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