International Gymnastics Challenge Results

On Saturday, March 31st, 2012, the Bermuda Gymnastics Association successfully hosted the International Gymnastics Challenge, the first international competition to be held at the National Training Center in St. David’s.

After months of planning and endless hours of cleaning, painting, and renovating, the gym was spotless and a massive team of volunteers were available to make every detail fall into place.

Bermuda’s national team was able to give a dynamic show to the hundreds of spectators, on their way to earning the top team score in both the morning (beginner athletes) and the afternoon (advanced athletes) sessions.

This sanctioned event was the first of its kind: the first USAIGC competition to be held outside of the USA. The visiting teams were NYC Elite of Manhattan, Gym Nation of Long Island, NY, and Gymnastics of York from York, PA.

Bermuda had 34 athletes in the competition. As a sanctioned event, the gymnasts were trying to qualify for the USAIGC National/International Championships which are held in June in Florida and feature the best USAIGC gymnasts from the USA and abroad.

Noteworthy finishes in the morning came from the youngsters in the Copper level, appearing in their first ever competition: Jezhari Talbot, Daria Symonds, Emily Gentile, T’aja Wililams, Brianna Ray, Yve Smith, Sanaa Burgess, and Attiyah Morris.

Jezhari Talbot was Bermuda’s top finisher as she won the all-around competition with a 36.30 score, with T’aja Williams just behind her in second. Gold medals were also awarded to Emily Gentile on the floor (9.2) and Attiyah Morris on the bars (8.95).

Also competing in the morning were the Bronze level gymnasts: Logan Watson-Brown, Sasha Crumley, Chantae Wilson, Jasmine Simons, and Holly Wakley. Chantae Wilson was Bermuda’s top all-around, earning the silver medal with a 35.2.
Sasha Crumley earned a gold medal on the floor (9.25) and Holly Wakley won the silver on beam with a 9.25 as well.

The afternoon session featured the higher level athletes in the Silver, Gold, and Platinum divisions: Anah Lightbourne, Diamond Dill, Maya Malpas, Kanzi Emery, Kinae Dowling, Tomei Talbot, Trinity Wilson, Jadaizha Washington, Ava Marshall and Gemma Lightbourne in the Silver level; Danielle Wall, Sydney Mason, Zantae Dill, Sadia Wilson, Clara James, Tais Burgess-Allen, Zekiah Lewis, Anna Francoeur, and Samantha Soares in the Gold level; and Morgan Beckles and Tabytha Hofheins in the Platinum level.

Anah Lightbourne swept the events in the Silver level junior division, winning the all around with a 36.35. Tomei Talbot was the top finisher in the Silver senior division, scoring 35.35 points for the gold medal. Other first place finishes in the silver group came from Kinae Dowling on vaulting (9.3) and Trinity Wilson on beam (8.5).

Sadia Wilson found her way to the top of the podium on each event, sweeping the Gold level events and the all-around with a total of 36.35 points. In the senior division Gold, Danielle Wall won the all-around with 34.0 points, along with vaulting and bars.

In the highest level group, the Platinum division, Morgan Beckles won vaulting, beam, floor and the all-around with a 33.95. Tabytha Hofheins tied for the gold medal on floor (8.85).

The day was a huge success for the Bermuda team, who earned numerous silver and bronze finishes as well. Complete results will be available at www.bermudagymnastics.com.

The coaches and meet organizers could not be more pleased with how the International Gymnastics Challenge came together.

“It is hard to express how moving it was to finally see this dream of hosting a meet in our own facility become a reality. Traditionally, our gymnasts have competed just a few times a year, and only those parents and grandparents fortunate enough to afford to travel with the team get to see the gymnasts live,” said Coach Mandi Baughman, who served as co-meet director with Chris Nelligan. Georgina Francoeur served as the meet chairperson and was beyond instrumental in its success.

“This time, all of our gymnasts could participate and everyone in the Bermuda community could witness their talents. It reflects the BGA’s mission to have all of our children, regardless of background, be able to compete in this great sport.”

Head Coach Duke Nelligan added, “All of our visiting teams are eager to return, and next time we’ll aim to have 250 gymnasts in attendance. It was also an important stepping stone on our way to hosting Island Games next summer.

“Our parents now know what it takes to run a first class event, and the local businesses who sponsored or donated to us should be glad to know they were part of something special. We’ll need all of the support we can get in order to make Island Games unforgettable.”

- Photos by John Manderson

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