Hundreds of gymnasts compete in the Senior Victorian Championships 2023 at the Geelong Arena

Hundreds of gymnasts competed in the 2023 Victorian Championships which was held over the first weekend of April. See the photos and video.

The state’s best gymnasts tumbled and cartwheeled their way through Geelong Arena for the Victorian Gymnastics Championships in a hotly contested competition over the first weekend of April.

Spectators were treated to a fierce competition of gymnasts of all levels and ages as they competed in the action-packed, three-day event — the final qualifying event before the Nationals Championships in May this year.

Included in the line-up of talent was 2022 Commonwealth Games medallists Kate McDonald and Breanna Scott.

The event was a pivotal step in their preparation before travelling north to the Gold Coast in May for the Australian Gymnastics Championships.

The competition consisted of Men’s Artistic (MAG) Levels 5 to Senior, Women’s Artistic (WAG) Levels 8 to Senior and Acrobatic Gymnastics (ACRO) Levels 6 — Senior and Trampoline Gymnastics Levels 4 to Senior.

Across the weekend the crowd also experienced the Special Olympics, and a new event, the Team Spectacular.

The Herald Sun attended the competitions to capture all of the talent and hard work gymnasts have put into their routines, as they vied for positions on the 2023 State Team.

The full list of emerging gymnasts that competed may may later be featured in the top gymnasts of Victoria list.

Gymnastics Victoria chairperson Molina Asthana said the weekend was “successful”.

“At these championships you see families coming and make the most of the three days and there’s so much team support and cheering for everyone, it’s your real family and your sport family as well.”

She said the weekend showcased the diversity within the sport.

“We’ve got all kinds of strands of diversity that are presented — I think gymnastics has the capacity to include everyone and it makes sense and is the right thing to do as well.

“There’s obviously the gender diversity that we see within our sport but also we do so much with people with special abilities — so we’ve got the Special Olympics going on and we really try to be inclusive in that space and we’ve also got people of different cultural backgrounds who participate.”

Ms Asthana said events like the 2023 State Victorian Championships built excitement for Geelong to be one of the hosts of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“Our community is really excited to welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth to our home here in Geelong Arena — the legacy we create through gymnastics as part of the Commonwealth Games will be really important in the development of our sport,” she said.

Commonwealth Games hopeful, Dolphin gymnast Ruben Chitters, said there was good team spirit.

“I think it’s important that every athlete brings their own authentic self to the sport of gymnastics because it’s a sport but it’s also called Artistic Gymnastics — so art is an inherent part of this sport.

“Moving forward I would to see more athletes being more confident to be themselves and to present who they are onto the competition floor,” Chitters said.

“I think that would make gymnastics a safer and more enjoyable space for young people to be in.”

Chitters encouraged anyone to start the sport as it’s a pathway to other opportunities.

“It’s got everything you need for any sport — even if your dream is to become a soccer player, gymnastics is a great way to start and it’s so much. It requires strength, coordination, flexibility and I could not recommend gymnastics more to anyone of any age,” they said.

Gymnastics Victoria chief executive Robin O‘Neill expressed his delight at seeing Geelong once again showcase the state’s abundant pool of talent from a variety of gymsports.

“On behalf of Gymnastics Victoria, we are extremely thrilled to see this key event in the gymnastics calendar return to even bigger and better capacity,” Mr O‘Neill said.

“This weekend highlighted everything brilliant about gymnastics, reflecting the diverse skill level, efficient proceedings, but most of all the comradery between everyone in the Victorian Gymnastics community.”

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work and contribution made by all clubs, coaches, gymnasts and officials both in the lead up to and across these events.”

“It’s all about getting yourself to the best you can be and I think everyone understands that — with trampoline particularly and gymnastics in general it’s about just getting up and doing the best you can,” Omega Trampoline athlete Adrian Wareham said.

“In that way it’s kind of cool and different to other sports as well,” Mr Wareham said.

“Gymnastics really stands out when you’re jumping at a height like that,” Cheltenham Youth Club (CYC) Trampoline gymnast Alex Luyckx said.