Nigerian gymnasts impressed at the Centurion Gymnastics Centre Club Competition in Pretoria, South Africa, with NLNG RA Gymnastics Club and TIG International Gymnastics Club delivering strong performances from August 15 to 16.
The event, which featured over 250 gymnasts from clubs across South Africa and Uganda, included top teams such as Klerksdorp, Tuks, Visions, Paragon, Bloemfontein, Jacobsdal, and Centurion.
Nigeria’s representatives showcased remarkable talent and discipline, with NLNG RA Gymnastics Club emerging as the standout side.
Oluwapelumi Ilesanmi claimed gold for the club, describing her victory as “a dream come true.”
“I was very happy and shocked when my name was mentioned,” she said, dedicating her success to her coaches, teammates, and her mother for their encouragement.
Nnenna Ahube, coordinator of the RA Gymnastics Club, commended the team for surpassing expectations.
“Our gymnasts trained hard and remained focused throughout the competition. The support from parents and Nigeria LNG Limited was crucial to this success,” she noted.
Meanwhile, TIG International Gymnastics Club also had an impressive outing, finishing with two gold, five silver, and one bronze medal.
Gold medalists included Angela Marinoni and Dida David, while senior gymnast Chenille Okpanku secured five silver medals across different apparatus and finished second overall in her category. Jochbed Ibrahim added bronze to complete the club’s medal haul.
TIG coach, Tony Asuquo, hailed the determination of the athletes and emphasized the need for more investment in the sport.
“There is a wealth of untapped talent in Nigeria. With proper funding, training facilities, and exposure, these gymnasts can compete at the global level,” he said.
Nigeria’s strong showing at the Centurion competition highlights steady progress in grassroots gymnastics development.
The championship, one of the largest youth gymnastics events in Southern Africa, provides athletes with valuable international exposure and competitive experience.
Officials believe with sustained investment, Nigeria is on course to produce world-class gymnasts ready for major international competitions such as the African Games and the Olympics.
