Gymnasts in intense build-up for overseas tourneys

JAMAICA’S JUNIOR development gymnastics athletes have intensified their preparations ahead of upcoming tournaments in Canada next March.

The Jamaica junior development teams are made of up of 31 gymnasts divided into two groups. Fifteen gymnasts will be competing at the Strachcona Challenge in compulsory routine from levels 1-5 in Edmonton, Canada March 1-4.

Meanwhile, 16 of the most advanced gymnasts will participate in levels 6-10 at the Gymnix Challenge in Montreal from March 8-12.

President of the Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association, Nicole GrantBrown, said the gymnasts restarted their preparations for both tournaments last week, and they have been working very hard in a bid to improve their technique.

IMPORTANT TOURNAMENTS

“We assigned two coaches to work with them. They train four hours a day during the week, and on Saturdays, they train for five hours,” said Grant-Brown.

She added that both tournaments form a very important part of country’s gymnastics development for bigger international tournaments.

“What we are trying to do now is to diversify their experience because the Canadian trip will give them a bit more exposure to different gymnastics, different persons, and different coaches, and what this will do is to help to build their confidence,” said Grant-Brown.

“It is also going to help to see where they are in comparison to Canada and the United States. We have an idea as to where we are with regard to the United States because we have been there before, but we have never competed in Canada,” she said.

“We know that they are going to put out their best, and we are looking to see how they match up with the Canadians,” Grant-Brown stated.