Cape Town - Forty gymnasts kept to their word when they said they were leaving no one behind while competing in the South African Gym Games, Gymnastics South Africa’s national championship, and are coming back home to Mitchells Plain with gold.
Cedar Gymnastics entered the gym for life section for the first time and walked off with gold.
The team also showcased their performances at the SA’s Perfect 10 competition, where 30 of South Africa’s top gymnasts competed in five teams.
Their level 4 gymnasts also competed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the aero acrobatics and acrobatics.
Last month they took part in the Western Province Championships held in Stellenbosch.
Forty of their gymnasts made it through to the South African Gym Games held in Tshwane.
The group hosted a fund-raising event a week ago themed “This is us”, a modern dance meets gymnastics theme which was attended by hundreds of spectators, including ward councillor Ashley Potts.
Natasha Frazer, public relations for the Cedar Gymnastics club, said their team worked hard to bring back gold.
“For the first time, Cedar Gymnastics entered a code in gymnastics called gym for life. Gym for life is freestyle gymnastics – you can do any performance,” she said.
“They entered for the first time and they won the cup and they got gold.
“There were six teams that competed.
“Johannesburg has won this before and this year, the cup is coming home to the Western Cape, Cape Town, Mitchells Plain. Our girls did their best and gave their all.
“They worked very hard and slept and ate at the gym to get this far.”
Kiahra Ventura, the club captain, said during an interview with Gymnastics South Africa that they were appreciative of their coaches. “I have been doing this for 10 years. I have been an acro-gymnast, and this was our first time doing gym for life. We had no idea what we were walking into and no idea what to expect, and here we are with the trophy.
“We say all grace to God, thank you to our coaches, Riyaanah Dirks and Brigitta Jaffer.”
Ward councillor, Ashley Potts said they were proud of the team.
"This is a celebration of our children. I wil be there when they come home and welcome them. It is lovely to see our young people achieve such merits and we pay homage to our coaches."
The team is expected back in Cape Town on Monday.