Rizzo stars to secure masters success

SYDNEY Olympian Phil Rizzo has claimed the inaugural national masters gymnastics competition after being crowned men’s all-around champion on the Gold Coast.

The Coast is hosting the national clubs carnival, with more than 4000 artistic and rhythmic gymnasts competing at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre at Carrara.

Rizzo, who won the world high bar apparatus final in 2006, came up with the masters concept, which attracted a field including fellow Olympians Damien Istria and Spain’s Saul Arena.

Rizzo won the all-around title with 76.950 points ahead of Australian Academy of Gymnastics teammate Arena, who had to settle for second with 75.350. Shire Gymnastics’ Mitchell Skippen (74.650) was third.

In the team event Istria had the last laugh however, leading his Brisbane Grammar teammates to victory, just pipping out Rizzo, Arena and the rest of the team representing the Australian Academy of Gymnastics, 153.650 to 150.500. Shire Gymnastics also finished third in the team event, scoring 146.850.

In the men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) competition, the team from Sydney Hills Gymnastics Club dominated the opening day of Division C competition, winning the overall team title and the individual all-around title through Daniel Chalabov (60.265).

Meanwhile, on Day 2 of the Division B competition, Manly Warringah spent the majority of the time on the top of the dais, winning three of the six team apparatus gold medals on offer.

On the rhythmic floor, Dominiga Beltran from Melbourne’s Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Club stole the show in the junior Level 6 competition, winning the allaround title with a score of 33.499, as well as picking up a medal in all four individual apparatus events.

Maya Hancock from Sydney’s Shire Gymnastics won the Level 6 senior all-around title as well as gold in the freehand and ribbon apparatus finals.