The second International Competition organized by Gymstars Gymnastics Club of Tarxien was an overwhelming success. The club received loads of favourable comments and many acknowledged the fact that a small club like Gymstars is able to organize such an important competition in such an excellent manner.

In front of the biggest crowd ever for a gymnastic competition, most of the athletes coming from four different local clubs, achieved some very good results and they came close of winning more medals. It was a wonderful experience and a very good result collectively considering the quality of the foreign gymnasts coming from five clubs from England and one from Cyprus.

The competition was amazing, producing some of the best gymnastics seen on the island for a long time. The Colchester team again scooped a bagful of medals, with the Olympia Club from Cyprus showing surprising performances.

From the local clubs, Gymstars got the better results all round winning not less than 50 medals in all, 10 gold, 12 silver and 28 bronze. Their athletes are on the right track and showing the same determination and dedication, their future looks bright. Other local clubs also proming results and this only shows that local gymnasts are ready to start preparation for the Small Nations Games to be held in Monaco in two years time.

In the Girls’ competition, Olympia of Cyprus got the best results, having such athletes as Chrystila Theodorov and Georgiev Antonia dominating the category Class B Under 15. They had others showing high standard performances. In all they got 22 gold, 19 silver and 12 bronze.

Colchester had Jay Becky Smith at her best winning five golds with Louise Pennell gaining three gold. They had others who between them collected a bagful of medals. Flic Flac from Britain, won three gold, two obtained by Chloe Bades and one by Mandy Tither.

Gymstars had the best success. In the Category B, Over 15, the club obtained three gold medals, two of these were gained by Francesca Borg in the overall and on the uneven bars. She also won second on vault, floor and beam. In the same category, Gymstars had also Audrey Schembri gaining silver medal overall and winning gold on the beam and third place on vault, uneven bars and floor. Making the podium was also Christina Borg of ISC, third overall and winning gold on vault and being second on uneven bars.

Another gold for Gymstars was gained by Roxanne Bonnici in the B Under 15 being first on beam and finishing third overall and on floor. In the same competition, Nicolette Schembri showing great determination secured a bronze medal on vault and uneven bars with Debbie Schembri gaining two bronze medals in the C Over 15.

Gymstars had also the young Kirsty Caruana making the podium, third palce overall with promising Martina Galea winning third place on beam in the D Under 11. Amy Pace took silver on beam with Mariah Saliba, Martha Camilleri and Rebekah Calleja all gaining bronze in the D Under 15. Thays Buhagiar won silver on vault and bronze on uneven bars, beam and floor and also third overall in the D Over 15. In the C Under 15, Eva Kohout gained more success for Gymstars by finishing third overall and winning second on uneven bars and third on vault, whilst Therese Cassar won third place on floor with Nicole Schembri finishing third on beam.

For Acrobatic Jumpers the most successful was Sonia Schembri in the B Under 12, winning gold on floor, whilst in the C Over 15 Christie Debono was second on floor and third on beam with Rachell Gatt also winning third on vault. Nadia Debono won third place on floor in the C Under 15.

For ISC the most prominent was Sue Hampton in the C Over 15 competition, gaining second place overall and also winning gold on uneven bars.

In the Boys’ Competition, Tolworth also of Britain, had some excellent athletes, like Minesh Desai, who distinguished himself on all the equipment, but was most impressive on rings. The same could be said of Chris O’Connor who won three gold medals. Tolworth in all won 15 gold, 10 silver and 6 bronze. Blackfen had Daniel West showing great talent and also Chris Burton.

Again Gymstars were the best from the local clubs winning four golds in the B Under 15 with Joe Muscat being the most successful winning on high bars, floor and vault and second overall. Jeremy Saywell won gold on parallel bars and two silver on rings and horse. There was also Isaac Camilleri gaining silver on vault and third on high bars and overall. In this category, Acro Jumpers had Terence Gatt gaining third place on floor.

Youngsters Alex Fenech and Ryan Busuttil brought more success for Gymstars. They proved their worth in the D Under 12, with Alex winning gold on the parallel bars and sivler on horse and Ryan winning gold on horse.

Acro Jumpers had their best moments in the B Over 15. Here Darren Debattista won gold on vault, silver on parallel bars and third on rings, horse and overall.

Robert Zammit finished second on rings, high bars, horse, vault and overall and was third on floor and parallel bars. There was also Andrea Buhagiar that won third place on high bars. In the B Under 12, Acro had the youngest competitor, Kersten Brown showing promising talent by winning bronze on vault with Isaac Mamo gaining silver on parallel bars.

Gymstars would like to thank all those who supported the club for this competition, with special thanks going to Freedor Ltd. of Paola who were the main sponsors.