Four gymnasts chosen who had their participation in the Island Games in Crete cancelled by the Federation recently, obtained some excellent results in an international competition in Belgium.

The competition was of a higher standard than that expected in the Island Games with athletes from quoted nations in gymnastics such as Belgium, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, France and Luxembourg.

As a team, Gymstars Gymnastics Club of Tarxien, represented with the four gymnasts chosen for Crete, finished in third place from nine countries. This again proved that our athletes are gaining the necessary experience and showing improvement in international competitions.

Individually, the most successful was Francesca Borg who finished second overall, winning a silver medal. She also managed to gain third place on floor and bars and a silver medal on vault. These results proved why she finished in first place during the Try Outs for the Island Games.

Audrey Schembri also achieved a very good result, finishing fourth overall, having her best performance on the bars finishing second and a third on the beam.

Roxanne Bonnici was sixth overall and finished third on floor, with Nicolette Schembri although finishing 12th overall, her performance was more than satisfactory.

Also, these results showed the hugh enthusiasm they have for this sport and the professional way they are being coached by the Bulgarian, Plamen Angelov.

Therese Cassar did well and is showing progress with each competition. She succeeded in getting first place on the vault.

More success for Gymstars was registered in the Boys Category where Jeremy Saywell finished an excellent third overall, and gaining also third place on Parallel Bars, Vault and Floor and second on the High Bar.

The other Maltese competitor, Joe Muscat, also did well in finishing fifth overall, having placed fourth on floor and Parallel Bars.

The Boys were very well prepared for this competition by the Maltese coach, Philip Caruana Turner, and the results showed the progress they achieved so far.

The younger girls also showed that they have the potential for a bright future ahead. Kirsty Caruana finished 15th overall out of 38, putting an impressive performance on the vault finishing fourth. Martina Galea finished 28th overall, Kimkberly Stivala and Mia Vickery 34th and 35th respectively.

More athletes from Gymstars will be participating in more international competitions in future. They have been invited to take part in competitions in England, France and Italy.

In July, the club will be holding the second international Open competition in Malta, which is also open to all Maltese gymnasts from all clubs affiliated with the MGF.

During the same period the club will also organise an International Training camp with the participation not only of foreign athletes, but also with some coaches from abroad of international repute.