Gymnastic: National Championship-Top class artistic and rhythmic exercises on show |22 November 2004

On the floor, parallel bars, rings, vault, pommel horse, local gymnasts put up some impressive displays in last Saturday’s artistic and rhythmic National Championship at the Roche Caïman centre.

Therance Vidot, winner of a third consecutive National Championship title, said that “all gymnasts created new exercises to upgrade the level of the annual competition.”

Seychelles Gymnastic Federation (SGF) chairman Roger David was happy with what he saw and described the afternoon of gymnastic as “unbelievable and fantastic.”

“For the first time here, male gymnasts performed on the rings and the only apparatus they haven’t competed on until now is the high bars.  The girls of the senior category also participated on the uneven bars for the first time and they too did well. The gymnasts also included music in their performances which is something good,” said a proud David, who added that the new equipment have been a big boost in improving the gymnasts’ performances.

Third consecutive title win for Vidot

With a total of 47.4 points (9.5 on the floor, 9.3 on the parallel bars, 9.4 on the rings, 9.7 on the vault and 9.5 on the pommel horse) Vidot showed why he has remained the country’s best top male gymnast with top class exercises like round-off double salto on the floor, a handstand turn followed by a swing twist salto up-around on the parallel bars, strength support and back salto on the swings, handspring salto and handspring pike on the vault, circle travelling and circle full turn on the pommel horse.

“It was a tough and interesting National Championship. Probably the best organised here. It was kind of an avant-goût of the exercises we expect to perform during the African Championship in Senegal,” said 24-year-old Vidot.

Barry Duval was second with 47.35 points (9.3 on the floor, 9.5 on the parallel bars, 9.6 on the rings, 9.65 on the vault and 9.3 on the pommel horse). In third place was Neil Denousse with 46.23 points (9.0 on the floor, 9.6 on the parallel bars, 9.33 on the rings, 9.0 on the vault and 9.3 on the pommel horse).
Absent in the male senior category was Denis Laporte.

Shabella Mothé succeeds Elizabeth

In the absence of two-time female gymnast of the year Keryl Elizabeth, Demelza Philoé had been a dominant force, but last Saturday, Shabella Mothé came out stronger to win the National Championship title and succeed Elizabeth.

Mothé, 14 and who has been practicing gymnastic for seven years now, made the difference in the final two events – vault and pommel horse – to make this year’s National Championship title hers.

After having completed her four exercises, she finished with a total of 31.11 points (7.51 on the beam, 8.05 on the floor, 8.0 on the vault and 7.55 on the uneven bars).
Her exercises included back-over flack, split and handstand on the beam, flack body straight, turn on one leg on the floor, handspring on the vault and hip circle on the uneven bars.

“It was tough and I gave my very best. I’m happy I’m the winner,” Mothé told Sports Nation.

Philoé, 11 and who said that bad body position and poor balance cost her some valuable points, finished as runner-up with 30.2 points (7.8 on the beam, 8.2 on the floor, 6.75 on the vault and 7.45 on the uneven bars).

Liza Robert, 11, was third with 29.75 points (7.3 on the beam, 7.7 on the floor, 7.5 on the vault and 7.25 on the uneven bars).

Payet retains title

Trevor Payet amassed the most points on the vault to earn first place overall with 22.25 points (7.3 on the floor, 7.2 on the parallel bars and 7.73 on the vault) to retain his male junior title.

Said 13-year-old Payet: “I have to thank my coach (Jeffrey Evenor) for the good work as his good training advice made the difference in the competition.”

Roddy Micock took second place with 22.21 points (7.45 on the floor, 7.23 on the parallel bars and 7.53 on the vault) and Jean-Paul Hoareau was third with 20.49 points (6.5 on the floor, 6.76 on the parallel bars and 7.23 on the vault).

The junior girls’ category was won by Elvire Duval, Barry’s daughter, with 18.565 points (6.2 on the beam, 6.865 on the floor and 5.5 on the buc).
“It wasn’t an easy competition, but I won thanks to the cartwheel bump flack on the floor. I’m happy,” said seven-year-old Elvire Duval.

Second was Deera Charles with 16.575 points (5.0 on the beam, 6.45 on the floor and 5.125 on the buc), while Elfah Celestine finished third with 15.75 points (5.25 on the beam, 6.1 on the floor and 4.4 on the buc).

G. G.