Second national qualifier draws 292 gymnasts

Rhythmic gymnastics
Mariud Ngula
  • 8 Hours Ago

Parkies Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club recently joined forces to host the second national qualifying competition at Sport Klub Windhoek (SKW), where 292 rhythmic gymnasts from nine clubs competed for top honours.

Athletes aged four to 20 represented the two hosts alongside Windhoek Rhythmic Club (WRC), Aspire RGC, Walvis Bay Gymnastics Club (WBGC), Infinity, International School of Walvis Bay, Oceanview and Tsumeb Gymnastics Club.

Elite’s Kayla Duchaine was crowned the senior champion ahead of WRC duo Emilia Ekandjo and Peya Kashaka in second and third place, respectively.

Elite’s Gabriella Mouton took the junior crown ahead of clubmate Meggi Shiweda and WRC’s Jana Risser.

The pre-junior section featured only two Elite competitors, with Jayd Pretorius crowned champion ahead of Nina-Mari Nel.


Three age-group champions

The High Performance (HP) discipline produced three age-group champions, with WRC’s Liya-Rose Neema taking HP U12 honours, Elite’s Karli Conradie winning HP U11 and WRC’s Kyla Esbach emerging on top in HP U10.

Across the numbered levels, WRC’s Lily Hahn was the overall Level 10 champion, WBGC’s Daniela Chikwara took Level Nine and WRC’s PinZhen Feng claimed Level Eight.

WBGC’s Meke Kaya Brandt topped Level Seven, WRC’s Amira Tambrescu took Level Six, while Elite pair Kenzie Ndjadila and Kirah Kooper won Levels Five and Four, respectively.

Elite’s Gianna Itewa and Vonique Smith emerged as the overall Level Three and Two champions, respectively, while WRC’s Mia Kasera took the Level One crown.


Gym Games places secured

The competition also served as preparation for 41 Namibian gymnasts from Levels Four to 10, HP and pre-junior who are set to compete at the South Africa Gym Games in Bellville, Cape Town, later this month.

Elite head coach Eleonora Karamfilova and Parkies head coach and founder Uschi Bence said the event gave gymnasts across the age groups the opportunity to gain competition experience ahead of their upcoming assignments.

They also thanked SKW for hosting the qualifier, as well as the parents, judges, officials, coaches and volunteers involved in staging the competition.


Support behind qualifier

Karamfilova and Bence also acknowledged the support received in staging the competition, with Hemco Paints, WV Manufacturing, African Shipping Services, Intu Afrika Kalahari Reserve and Lodges, the Pretorius family, Inspire Water Technologies and Xyphos Security among those supporting the event.

AdamsBier Water, Xtreme Print and Stamps, IA Academy and Windhoek Country Club were also recognised for their contributions.

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