Dizzying Heights for New Zealand at Indo Pacific Champs
Monday 20 October 2008, 7:02AM
By Gymsports New Zealand
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Today concluded the Indo Pacific Trampoline and Tumbling Championships and the event was a huge success for New Zealand - both in showcasing the nation’s trampoline talent and demonstrating New Zealand’s ability to be a world class host for a top sporting event.
More than 300 athletes from seven countries tried to bounce, flip and tumble each other out to win gold, silver and bronze medals. Countries competing in the Championships included Japan, Argentina, Australia, Qatar, South Africa, Canada and New Zealand.
Catherine Clark, GymSports NZ CEO, says competing on home soil made a huge difference to the New Zealand team.
“New Zealand racked up an impressive 28 medals - including 8 gold - from the five day Championships. The team are absolutely shell-shocked at their success.”
33-year-old Kylie Walker proved that age is no barrier by taking out gold in the Women’s Open Individual Trampoline event. Kylie was the 1992, 1994 and 1998 world champion for Double Mini Trampoline and came out of a five year retirement last year.
Kimberly Shea from Christchurch and Claire Coetzee from Auckland were double trouble for Japan when they stole first place - and the gold medal. Both women also won medals in the Open Double Mini Trampoline event.
While New Zealand shone in the open categories, Catherine says it was the junior competitors that were inspiring.
“What I found particularly impressive was the talent in our younger athletes - all I can say is watch out for New Zealand in future Olympic Games!”
One such star was 11-year-old Dylan Schmidt - who travels from Waihi to Auckland three times a week for training. Dylan stole the show by grabbing gold in both the 10-12 Men’s Individual Trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline and from his third place win with synchronised partner, Nelson McCallum.
“Trampoline seems to run in the Schmidt family genes with both Dylan’s brother, Callum, and sister, Rachel, also taking home bronze and silver medals.”
The Indo Pacific Trampoline and Tumbling Championships took place from 15-19 October at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre.
The sport of Trampoline in New Zealand comes under the umbrella of GymSports NZ and the Championships were sponsored by Rotorua District Council, the Bay Trust, Rotorua Energy Trust and Sport & Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).
INDO PACIFIC TRAMPOLINE AND TUMBLING CHAMPIONSHIPS - NZ RESULTS
New Zealand results for Sunday 19 October 2008:
Open Double Mini Trampoline Final - Women
Silver - Claire Coetzee (Auckland)
Bronze - Kimberley Shea (Christchurch)
Open Individual Trampoline - Women
Gold - Kylie Walker (NZ - trains in UK)
Open Synchronised Trampoline - Men
Silver - Ben Windsor (Auckland) /Jamie Lange (Auckland)
Open Synchronised Trampoline - Women
Gold - Kimberly Shea (Christchurch) /Claire Coetzee (Auckland)
15-16 Tumbling Final - Men
Silver - Kieran Growcott (Christchurch)
New Zealand results for Saturday 18 October 2008:
17+ Double Mini Trampoline Final - Men
Gold - Ryan Besseling (Gisborne)
Silver - Kierran Tuhi (Manukau)
17+ Double Mini Trampoline Final - Women
Bronze - Jessie Shaw (Auckland)
15-16 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Men
Bronze - Callum Schmidt (Waihi)
15-16 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Women
Gold - Jordyn McLean (Manukau)
Bronze - Josie Te Rata (Palmerston North)
13-14 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Men
Bronze - Sam Tallott (Gisborne)
13-14 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Women
Gold - Penny Bennett (Auckland)
Silver - Anastasia Smith (Gisborne)
Bronze - Leanne Van Rensburg (North Shore)
10-12 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Men
Gold - Dylan Schmidt (Waihi)
Silver - Scott Tallott (Gisborne)
10-12 Double Mini Trampoline Final - Women
Silver - Chivaun Broderick (Gisborne)
13-14 Individual Trampoline Final - Women
Silver - Rachel Schmidt (Waihi)
10-12 Individual Trampoline Final - Men
Gold - Dylan Schmidt (Waihi)
New Zealand results for Friday 17 October 2008:
13-14 year old Women Tumbling Finals
Gold - Anastasia Smith (Gisborne)
Bronze - Ellen Taylor (Christchurch)
10-12 year old Men Tumbling Finals
Silver - Hugh McConnell (Christchurch)
10-12 year old Women Synchronised Trampoline Finals
Silver - Rosie Gordon/Madison Coster (Christchurch)
Bronze - Sarah Pascall/Sarah Reiher (Christchurch)
10-12 year old Men Synchronised Trampoline Finals
Bronze - Dylan Schmidt (Waihi)/Nelson McCallum (Auckland)
10-12 year old Women Tumbling Finals
Bronze - Olivia Gillott from (Manukau)