Jamaica Gymnastics Association (JAGA) President Nicole Grant-Brown anticipates an improved showing from her athletes Michael Reid and Danyella Richards ahead of their debut appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Despite not making the trip, Grant-Brown said her heart is with the American-based duo who are ensuring that Jamaica’s presence is felt in the artistic gymnastics arena.

Having Richards, 17 — the first Jamaican woman to compete at the Commonwealth Games — and Reid, 29, showcase their talent, Grant-Brown believes represents a step up for the island and, by extension, speaks volumes of the sport’s growth over the years.

This as England-based gymnast Reiss Beckford was Jamaica’s lone representative at the 2018 Gold Coast Games in Australia. He placed 16th in a 18-competitor field.

Another England-born gymnast Tyesha Mattis and American-based Caleb Faulk along with local-based Jamilia Duffus were expected to be a part of this year’s Commonwealth Games team, but it is unclear why they are absent.

“Yes, it is another significant sign that Jamaica’s gymnastics is growing and we are just grateful that the JOA [Jamaica Olympic Association] has given our athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills and talent at the Commonwealth Games this year,” Grant-Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

Mattis, who recently received clearance to represent Jamaica, was a standout performer at the Pan American Gymnastic Championships in Brazil recently.

She secured the country’s lone qualification to the World Gymnastics Championships later this year and joined her sister China Richards Duffus in qualifying for next year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games as a team.

Faulk created history at the event when he performed an original on the high bars, which was accepted in the FIG Code points.

The young and exciting Richards, who, interestingly, was guided by Beckford in her performances, won the heart of the crowd in the arena each time she took on another apparatus as she did, in fact, better the 43.400 she tallied at that same Pan Am Championships.

She scored 12.300 on vault, her lowest score 9.900 on the uneven bars, before bouncing back to score 10.250 on balance beam and 11.150 on floor to end with a total of 43.600 in the individual all-around competition. She placed 24th overall and just missed out on qualification.

Meanwhile, Reid, who only contested the pommel horse and bars apparatus for which he scored 23.967 for 71st overall at the Pan Am Championships, is again down to tackle only those two apparatus at the Games.

Grant-Brown said the expectation was always that the duo would not only build on their previous performances but also enjoy the experience as they look ahead in their respective careers.

With Richards already setting the tone, it’s now left to Reid to follow suit.

“We just hope for the best,” Grant-Brown said ahead of Reid’s performances.

“The expectations, again, was always that they would go out there and do the best that they can and also enjoy the performances. Once they remain in good health and a good frame of mind, I know they will compete to the best of their abilities,” she noted.

— Sherdon Cowan