In a recent international competition hosted by Colchester Club in England, Gymstars Gymnastics Club of Tarxien obtained some very satisfactory results.

The event was an excellent experience for the local youngsters and augurs well for the future.

The boys, under the expert guidance of coach Matthew Lulev, obtained some very good results. The hero was undoubtedly the young and promising Ryan Busuttil who collected an array of medals, two gold, one silver and two bronze in the Primary 4 Category.

Ryan finished first on the pommel horse and rings, gained silver on the parallel bars and bronze on vault and overall, besides finishing a credicle fourth on the other two routines.

All the other boys competing showed talent with Simon Gravino winning a bronze on the floor and Alex Fenech also getting a bronze on the high bars.

Keith Gravino and Nicky Vassallo still very young were on their first trip abroad, but showed courage and determination although not winning any medals.

The girls were also successful. Annabel Vella, in the Grade 6 Under Age Category, was prominent and won medals in all her routines. She won gold on the vault and silver on bars, beam and floor and also overall.

Raquel Pace, in the Grade 6 In Age Category, also gave an encouraging performance, winning silver overall, and also on bars, beam and floor with Angie Galea being equally impressive when winning bronze on the vault and being fourth on all the other equipment and overall.

Krista Portanier obtained another fine result when finishing third on the floor in the Grade 6 Category.

The other girls taking part were Mia Vickery, Kirsty Caruana, Martina Galea, Adriana Zammit, Corene Gatt, Francesca Bonanno, Jessica Caruana, Maria Sultana, Ria Mifsud, Donna Johnston, Anthea Zammit, Victoria Zerafa, Olendka Martino, Josefa Pace, Nicole Pace, Tara Dalli and Nicole Attard.

Credit must be given to the two Bulgarian coaches Angelov Plamen and Matthew Lulev, together with Inika Camilleri, Lorraine Buttigieg, Gaby Grech and Kristina Schranz (choreography) who worked hard to prepare the local gymnasts for this competition.

This was also in preparation for the third international competition that Gymstars will be holding next July with the participation of clubs from England, Dubai, Italy and Cyprus.

One must also mention that the two Bulgarians coaches Matthew Lulev and Angleov Plamen are preparing the girls’ and boys’ team for the Island Games being held in Sicily next month and for the ISF Games to be held in Greece.