Tassie gymnasts dominate nationals

TASMANIAN t r ampoline gymnasts are jumping for joy after a successful Australian Gymnastics Championships at Hisense Arena in Melbourne last week.

The experienced Damien Axelsen secured the gold medal in the senior international men’s double-mini trampoline, in what was his 10th time at the championships. Fellow Tasmanians Matthew French and Patrick Schluter won gold in the junior international men’s synchronised competition along with Callum O’Sullivan, who picked up gold in the under-17 men’s individual trampoline.

All three gymnasts had success in other fields with French going on to win the silver medal in the junior men’s double-mini tramp, Schluter secured silver in the Youth Olympic Trial event for Oceania, and O’Sullivan partnered with Luan Smit to win the bronze in the under-17 synchronised division.

Amber French and Tristan Raymond both took home the silver in their events, along with youngsters Dylan Crack and Joseph Creen, who won silver in the under-15 men’s synchronised competition.

Amber French also paired with Launceston’s Ruby Lowe to win bronze in the synchronised junior women’s event.

The Tasmanian team had success in the teams sections, winning bronze in both the men’s double-mini and the men’s trampoline team events.

The championships will help the squad stay motivated as they prepare for the national squad trials on the Gold Coast in September. The trials help select the Australian team for the 2018 world championships to be held at St Petersburg in November.