GLORY FOR GYMNASTS!

A team of young gymnasts have returned to Bahrain with a collection of medals after competing in the 9th Inter-Gulf Championships in Dubai.

Schoolboy Ken Belt was taking part in his first competition with the Children’s Health Academy of Specialised Sports (CHAOSS) and picked up and impressive haul of five medals at the event staged on Friday and Saturday.

The girls in the squad were particularly impressive too taking 26 medals in total, of which six were gold, five silver and 15 bronze.

The gymnasts were accompanied by head coach, Cara Mattias, who was justified in her pre-trip confidence of a good performance from the team. She said: “We were delighted with our medal haul.

“Despite the competition being tougher this year once again all our gymnasts performed really well and had a super competition. Even those that didn’t receive medals performed well and should be proud of what they achieved. Some of the groups were really tough and the scores were really close.”

It was the sixth year that CHAOSS has travelled to the UAE for the annual competition against clubs from Dubai, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – all members of the Middle East Gymnastics Association (MEGA).

The Bahrain party was made up of 22 gymnasts – 19 girls and three boys aged six to 13. Five coaches also travelled with the gymnasts, three of whom also judged at the competition.

Mattias added: “For some of the girls competing it was their last CHAOSS competition, as they will be leaving Bahrain in the summer, so it was great to see them go home with medals. Gymnasts such as Nicky Payne, Dani Doughty, Saina Mucher, Sophie Moir and Aubrie Gut have been with us for a long time and they will be greatly missed by the team.

“The Level 2 girls performed brilliantly too in their first competition abroad as part of the CHAOSS team and must be looking forward to greater things for next year.”

Coach Debbie Payne judged beam at the competition and, as reported in last week’s GulfWeekly, will shortly be leaving Bahrain to return with her family to England.

She said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all the coaches and gymnasts for making my last competition with the team such a big success.  It was great fun and I wish them all the best for the future. After seven years here, we are going to really miss being part of CHAOSS!”

The team thanked sponsors Reza Hygiene, Paxton Co, Azmeel Contracting and Matthias Middle East for their support and helping to make the trip possible.