JourneyOnline
TWO MORETON Bay College students got a taste of where gymnastics is taking them when they competed in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March.
Naazmi Johnston, 17, and Chloe Sims, 15, both represented Australia in their respective sports of Rhythmic Gymnastics and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.
Both gymnasts returned to the Moreton Bay College gymnastics centre of excellence with medals in tow.
For Ms Sims, the games marked her debut as a ‘senior’ on the international gymnastics stage.
A member of the gold medal winning women’s artistic team, Chloe relished the opportunity to perform to a home crowd coming home with a gold medal for the all-around competition. She also placed fifth on vault.
Despite competing in other international events as a senior, the Melbourne games were Ms Johnston’s first Commonwealth competition. After Australia placed third in the Rhythmic team event, Ms Johnston went on to place forth in the all-around competition and place in the top six for all apparatus finals (rope, ball, clubs and ribbon).
Both athletes aspire to representing Australia at the Beijing Olympics. Needless to say, the staff and fellow students at Moreton Bay College are very proud of these outstanding athletes.
Moreton Bay College chaplain Jenny Busch said she is particularly proud of the grace both girls show.
“I’m proud of them not just for their achievements, but for their commitment to their own goals and the daily sacrifices they make to achieve those goals.
“I’m most proud of the type of people they are, for the humility they show in their achievements and the graciousness they show towards others.”
The girls had little time off after the games, with Naazmi competing in Hawaii at the Pacific Alliance and both girls gearing up for the National Championships in Sydney in late May.
Photo : MBC gymnast Chloe Sims shows off her gold medal for the women’s all-around competition at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Ng www.nkphotos.co.uk
