YMCA gymnasts dominate Special Olympics National Games

YMCA Epping gymnasts bagged a monster medal haul at the 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide — two grabbing five gold medals each alone.

L-R: National medallists Nicholas Zrnic, Christopher Bunton and Raymond Xing. Picture: AAP Image / Troy Snook

YMCA Epping gymnasts bagged a monster medal haul at the 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide.

Christopher Bunton, Raymond Xing and Nicholas Zrnic collectively won 18 of NSW’s 54 medals.

Bunton — an accredited gymnastics coach from St Clair — grabbed five gold alone in floor, pommel, rings, high bar, and parallel bars.

That is on top of a silver medal in vault, landing him the overall top place in Level 3 of the competition. All three men have Down syndrome.

“Competition gives me a purpose for my training; winning a medal gives me the feeling of achievement and accomplishment,” said Christopher Bunton, pictured left with teammates Nicholas Zrnic and Raymond Xing at Epping YMCA.

“I follow a motto ‘Let me try, I can do it’,” said 25-year-old Bunton, who started gymnastics in kindergarten and credits his participation in the sport to being the man he is today.

“I had a few hiccups on my first day of competition but with lots of feedback from my coach, Matthew Wotton, on the second day of competition I pulled my sleeves up and I did great job winning gold overall.

Christopher Bunton says his role models are pommel horse specialist Prashanth Sellathurai and high bar champion Philippe Rizzo. Picture: Troy Snook

“I felt absolutely fantastic and I cried, but they were happy tears of relief that my hard work had paid off. For me, it is not only about winning medals but the chance to see my friends, meet new friends, and have fun.”

His teammate Raymond Xing, 18, of Beecroft, placed first in Level 1, winning gold in floor, pommel, vault, parallel bars and high bar, and silver in rings.

Nicholas Zrnic on the rings at Epping YMCA. Picture: AAP Image / Troy Snook

Nicholas Zrnic, 25, of Winston Hills, was third in Level 3, winning silver in floor and high bar, and bronze in pommel, rings, vault and parallel bars.

The NSW Gymnastics team took home 54 medals: 31 gold, 11 silver, and 12 bronze.

“The feedback I received from the judges, other coaches and spectators was one of admiration and inspiration at what the three athletes can do and for what they have achieved in their sport,” their coach, Matthew Wotton, said. “They are true champions.

“The results from this competition show the hard work and dedication the team have put in to their training and their passion and dedication to their sport.”

From left are Epping YMCA gymnasts Raymond Xing, Christopher Bunton and Nicholas Zrnic. Picture: AAP Image / Troy Snook

This is not their first taste of big competition. Bunton, who trains six hours a week before a competition, has medalled in two Special Olympics World Games.

Xing and Zrnic both took home medals at the 2016 Down Syndrome World Championships.

Bunton and Zrnic will next compete in the Down Syndrome World Gymnastics Championships in July.

Raymond Xing on the high bar at YMCA Epping. Picture: AAP Image / Troy Snook

All three are eligible for selection at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Dubai.

YMCA Epping at 15 Ward St, Epping offers gymnastics from one year of age.

The centre also runs futsal, basketball, Fast5 netball and badminton competitions; a kids Learn to Play sports program; and a wellbeing program for people with mental illness.

The club opened over 50 years ago.

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