Jamaica’s contingent to the WOGA Gymnastic Classic to be held in Plano, Texas, this weekend left the island in two groups between Wednesday and yesterday as the largest team ever gets set to represent the island at the championship.

Twenty-two athletes between the ages six and 19 and ranging from level one to level 10, will be on show in the black, green and gold. The event was due to begin yesterday and will end on Sunday.

Nicole Grant-Brown, president of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA), was delighted with the cross section of athletes who will be representing the country.

“For the first time we have team members from all the gyms in Jamaica — Jamaica School of Gymnastics, Portmore Gymnastics and Wellness Centre, Nishidas Gymnastics Montego Bay and Westmoreland Gymnastics Academy — as well as overseas — based athletes.

“Our senior males Reiss Beckford, Michael Reid, Caleb Faulk and Nicholas Tai and senior females Kiara Richmond, McKenzie Robinson and Ashe Bernard will also be competing,” she informed.

Jamaican gymnastics has benefited significantly from the partnership between the Government of Jamaica and China and this is expected to have a positive impact on the overall team performance, Grant-Brown suggested.

“We are looking for excellent improvement in the delivery of our athletes as they have grown stronger and more skilful over the year, especially with the hard work they have been doing, some with the help of the Chinese coaches and Camp. We expect to see their best as they compete against the best in the world,” she added.

The number of athletes participating in gymnastics in Jamaica has grown exponentially in the last year to the delight of the association, and there is another competition that the gymnasts will be participating in soon, the president outlined.

“Our levels 7-10 and senior girls will be competing at Gymnix Challenge and Gymnix International from March 7 to 10,” Grant-Brown said.

The local-based gymnasts are expected to return to Jamaica on Monday.

— Dwayne Richards