As the nation eagerly anticipates the return of Gymnastics SA’s annual extravaganza, Gym Games, the spotlight is firmly fixed on the Eastern Cape’s promising gymnasts, who are gearing up to represent their province.
East London’s Emma Fray, Katelyn van den Berg, Nia Fortuin, Olivia Klein and Lienka Evans have been selected for the Eastern Cape team who will be competing from October 2-5 in Gauteng against the best from around the country.
This year, the event will bring together more than 2,500 gymnasts from all nine provinces, performing in men’s artistic, women’s artistic, acrobatics, parkour, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, rope skipping, and aerobic gymnastics.
Four of the five gymnasts selected to compete are from East London’s Absolute Gymnastics Club.
Club owner Taylor du Plessis said this was the highest number of competitors selected from her club and from East London in recent years which was a testament to the growth of competitive gymnastics in Buffalo City.
Du Plessis said: “Last year, my club was the only club to produce two gymnasts on the Eastern Cape team from East London and they did exceptionally well both winning apparatus medals and placing in the top 10 overall.
“This year, all my gymnasts are in higher levels and more competitive age groups, so the goal is to have clean competitions and for them to stick all their routines.
“These young athletes train very hard during the year and their hard work is paying off.
“They train tirelessly, with a minimum of nine hours per week, and increase their training to weekends during the competition season.”
Du Plessis will also be attending the Gym Games as an Eastern Cape representative, serving as both the coach and the team’s official judge.
With the goal of increasing the representation of East London girls on the Eastern Cape team and potentially adding boys to the mix, the future of gymnastics in the Eastern Cape and especially East London, is bright.
Fortuin from Stirling High School will be competing at level five in the 14 years and older division and said her selection to the side means a great deal to her.
She hopes to place in the top 10 in SA this year.
“I hope to coach younger gymnasts in future and help them grow in the sport because I know the time and dedication it takes to excel.
“As a coach one day, I want to make gymnastics a fun and rewarding sport for all who participate in it,” Fortuin said.
Du Plessis said: “I feel that East London is growing in the sport of gymnastics and it’s a new and exciting space to be in.
“We wish our girls the best of luck for Gym Games this year,” Du Plessis said.
