Rhythmic gymnasts shine at qualification tournament

The second qualification event for rhythmic gymnastics was held last week at the Windhoek Showgrounds. The spectacular event was attended by 10 clubs from across Namibia, totalling well over 300 gymnasts from level 1 to senior Olympic level.

The two-day event, hosted by Parkies Rhythmic Club and Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, served up extraordinary showmanship by advanced gymnasts and brought invaluable exposure to the younger ones in preparation for the nationals in October.

Highest scores

Level 1 saw Recca van Niekerk from Ocean View Club top the list; level 2: Zara Duchaine, Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club; level 3: Annisah Dlembula, Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club; level 4: Jordin Plaatjies, Ocean View Club; level 5: Wanona Immanuel, Walvis Bay Gymnastics Club; level 6: Faiza Hamutenya, Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club; level 7: Fransisca Msati, Windhoek Rhythmic Club; level 8: Alisa Bogomolova, Windhoek Rhythmic Club; level 9: Christina Theron, Walvis Bay Gymnastics Club; and level 10 was secured by Taimi Nanyanga of Windhoek Rhythmic Club.

The high-performance pathway (HP) 2 saw Mila Kruger of the Windhoek Rhythmic Club lead the pack ahead of Jayd Pretorius of Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club with HP3, followed by Yule Jouber of Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club with HP4, Carla Geldenhuys of Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club in pre-junior, and Peya Kashaka and Emilia Ekandjo of the Windhoek Rhythmic Club in junior and senior, respectively.

"We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the gymnasts, family and parents who attended. Our generous sponsors, without whom this day would not have been as magical as it was, and the Windhoek Showgrounds Multi-Purpose Facility for hosting us. We cannot forget to mention our volunteers from both Parkies and Elite – your contribution is invaluable," said the event organisers, Eleonora Karamfilova of Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and Ursula Bence of Parkies Rhythmic Gymnastics.

They were sponsored by: Ahrens Guns & Ammunition, Pelican Car Hire, Affieplaas, Hardap Freight Services, Strohmenger Family, Trophäendiensta Taxidermy, Arysteq Asset Management, all Parkies & Elite parents, WV Manufacturing, Sweetest Occasions, Veronica Dauth & Kirsty Muesee, Plastic Packaging, Elisenheim Spar, Crown Build It, Hemco Paints, African Shipping Services, Marsha Nel, Roots, Charlene Pesch, the Pretorius family, Gondwana Collection, S&G Auto Repairs, Xecutive Signs, Phoenix Mobile, and Elevate Training.