[SCMP Archive] Gymnasts hit new heights
HKIS students excel in technique and grace.
[First published on May 04, 1986] Young gymnasts from the International Gymnastics Academy of Hong Kong have returned victorious from the SACAC Gymnastics Invitation Meet in Singapore.
Organised by the Singapore American International School, the two-day meet attracted more than 70 gymnasts from five international schools in Singapore, one from Jakarta and the academy from Hong Kong.
Two teams, five boys and five girls, all students of the Hong Kong International School, competed and the girls’ team emerged as the overall champions.
Individually, 13-year-old Ali Enlow scored the highest mark in the girls 11-14 age group and won the individual all-round title. She was closely followed by her team-mate Anna Pena who came second.
For the boys, Eric Vanessian, aged 11, won the individual all-round title in the 11 years and under group.
Both Ali and Eric received gymnastics training in America before coming to the Hong Kong Academy.
Coach Ambrose Chan said: “Both boys and girls have done a very good job in this competition.
“It is encouraging to see their performance has improved a lot and has shown a bit of maturity gradually.”
Last year, the academy sent out its senior girls’ team to the same meet in Singapore but only came second in the overall count.
The young gymnasts’ training five days a week is now paying dividends.
But Ambrose feels the experience gained in the overseas international competitions is invaluable to the gymnasts.
The academy is planning to send its youngsters to competitions in the leading gymnastic countries in Asia – Japan, Korea and the Philippines – next year.
