Team South Africa emerged victorious at the 17th African Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which took place over the weekend at Tshwane’s Heartfelt Arena. The SA women’s team clinched a gold medal finish, automatically securing a qualification for the upcoming World Championships in Belgium later this year.
Egypt and Algeria, the silver and bronze medalists, will also have the opportunity to send individual gymnasts to represent their countries at the World Championships.
Gymnasts from five different countries competed in the women’s artistic event at the 17th African Gymnastics Championships, according to Gymnastics SA.
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Gymnastics SA stated that the battle between the north and south was on display as continental powerhouses Egypt and South Africa squared off. Caitlin Rooskrantz, South Africa’s main medal contender and defending champion from Egypt last year, finished second overall, but the star of the evening was Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, who trains in France and was unable to compete in Egypt last year.
While Nemour’s overall performance won the competition by a massive three points, team South Africa was the big winner on the evening, maintaining an early lead throughout a nearly faultless competition to win gold.
The big win has automatically qualified team South Africa for the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, later this year, while Egypt and Algeria, the silver and bronze medalists, will be able to send individual gymnasts as well.
SA head coach Ilse Pelser was pleased with her team’s performance.
She said, ‘It’s a massive relief; the girls did their job to perfection. The goal was for three of our four gymnasts to go clean on each apparatus, and they did that. It’s always nice after the event.’
Gymnastics South Africa President Donny Jurgens commented, ‘This is a historic night for South African gymnastics, our first team victory in the women’s artistic team competition since 2006. The support was amazing, and gymnastics is alive and well in South Africa.’
He continued, ‘We’re extremely proud to host an event of this stature in South Africa. The level of women’s artistic gymnastics displayed tonight was exceptional, and we congratulate all the winners for showcasing their talents so expertly.’
Shared by Cape ETC.
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Feature Image: Gymnastics South Africa / Facebook
