Artistic gymnastics draws record entries

A total of 176 gymnasts from nine clubs took part in the 2005 NamPort National Women’s Artistic Gymnastic Championships held in Walvis Bay at the weekend.

The two-day event featured participation from entry level right through to senior levels, where Namibia’s top gymnasts from as far south as Keetmanshoop and Tsumeb competed for top honours. The event was hosted by the Walvis Bay Gymnastic Club and, according to the organisers, saw a high standard of competition on all levels.The top ten contenders in each category received trophies for their efforts.”The bulk of the gymnasts were from the entry level through to level two, which is very promising for Namibia to see that the sport is growing, and development is reaching its peak,” said Willie Prossser, the chairman of the Walvis Bay Gymnastic Club.”The number of women participating in this past event has grown enormously, especially in the lower levels, which is encouraging and positive to see our children at such young ages taking part in the sport.”More clubs across the country have opened up their doors in recent times, which only happens through development and training of coaches and judges.In previous years, women’s and men’s artistic were held on the same week end, but due to the increasing numbers, we have had to split the competitions over two different weekends in order to accommodate all the gymnasts.”Prosser also mentioned that the senior girls were expected to compete this past weekend on international levels, enabling them to qualify them for the Commonwealth Games in 2006.A Namibian Gymnastic Federation team was also selected, with girls chosen to take part in the prestigious Zone Six competition, being held in Walvis Bay between December 6 and 11.Gymnasts from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana will be making their way to Namibia, which this year is the hosting country.All the codes of gymnastics, namely trampoline, rhythmic, artistic and sports aerobic, will be participating.The competition is sponsored by Swabou and the opening ceremony will be held on December 8, with competition on December 9 and 10 being held in the Walvis Bay Indoor Sports Complex.According to Prosser, Walvis Bay is hosting this event for the second time and they are expecting around 150 gymnasts and officials at the event.Zone Six Team: Senior: Ramona Beukes (Excelsior), Kimberly-Ann Van Zyl, Marion Schurz and Linique Louw (Walvis Bay) Junior: Chloe Hansen (Excelsior),), Nona Van der Merwe, Sandra Starke and Angelique de Klerk (Walvis Bay) Pre-Junior: Savannah Collins (Walvis Bay), Rhonel Sepiso, Anscha Rall, Nadia Grunewald all Excelsior with reserve Mari-Louis Du Plessis (Crete Club) Trophy Winners: Ramona Beukes (Senior Excelsior), Marion Schurz (Level 10 Excelsior), Linique Louw Level 8 (Walvis Bay), Chloe Hansen (Level 7 Excelsior), Nadja Goike (Level 6 Excelsior), Michelle Boucher (Level 5 Walvis Bay), Michel’le Solomons (Level 4 Walvis Bay), Savannah Collins (Level 3 Walvis Bay), Elmarie Oosthuizen (Level 2 Excelsior), Dee Conradie (Level 1 Excelsior) and Panduleni Shikongo (Entry Level Excelsior).The event was hosted by the Walvis Bay Gymnastic Club and, according to the organisers, saw a high standard of competition on all levels.The top ten contenders in each category received trophies for their efforts.”The bulk of the gymnasts were from the entry level through to level two, which is very promising for Namibia to see that the sport is growing, and development is reaching its peak,” said Willie Prossser, the chairman of the Walvis Bay Gymnastic Club.”The number of women participating in this past event has grown enormously, especially in the lower levels, which is encouraging and positive to see our children at such young ages taking part in the sport.”More clubs across the country have opened up their doors in recent times, which only happens through development and training of coaches and judges.In previous years, women’s and men’s artistic were held on the same week end, but due to the increasing numbers, we have had to split the competitions over two different weekends in order to accommodate all the gymnasts.”Prosser also mentioned that the senior girls were expected to compete this past weekend on international levels, enabling them to qualify them for the Commonwealth Games in 2006. A Namibian Gymnastic Federation team was also selected, with girls chosen to take part in the prestigious Zone Six competition, being held in Walvis Bay between December 6 and 11.Gymnasts from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Botswana will be making their way to Namibia, which this year is the hosting country. All the codes of gymnastics, namely trampoline, rhythmic, artistic and sports aerobic, will be participating.The competition is sponsored by Swabou and the opening ceremony will be held on December 8, with competition on December 9 and 10 being held in the Walvis Bay Indoor Sports Complex.According to Prosser, Walvis Bay is hosting this event for the second time and they are expecting around 150 gymnasts and officials at the event. Zone Six Team: Senior: Ramona Beukes (Excelsior), Kimberly-Ann Van Zyl, Marion Schurz and Linique Louw (Walvis Bay) Junior: Chloe Hansen (Excelsior),), Nona Van der Merwe, Sandra Starke and Angelique de Klerk (Walvis Bay) Pre-Junior: Savannah Collins (Walvis Bay), Rhonel Sepiso, Anscha Rall, Nadia Grunewald all Excelsior with reserve Mari-Louis Du Plessis (Crete Club) Trophy Winners: Ramona Beukes (Senior Excelsior), Marion Schurz (Level 10 Excelsior), Linique Louw Level 8 (Walvis Bay), Chloe Hansen (Level 7 Excelsior), Nadja Goike (Level 6 Excelsior), Michelle Boucher (Level 5 Walvis Bay), Michel’le Solomons (Level 4 Walvis Bay), Savannah Collins (Level 3 Walvis Bay), Elmarie Oosthuizen (Level 2 Excelsior), Dee Conradie (Level 1 Excelsior) and Panduleni Shikongo (Entry Level Excelsior).