Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Bianca Ardito of the Ishimoto School of Gymnastics on her way to winning the age 12 and up competition at the Gym Stars Invitational Tournament held at University of Technology (UTech) Gymnasium. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

With over 180 participants, the 11th staging of the Gym Stars Invitational Tournament, hosted by the Ishimoto School of Gymnastics at the University of Technology (UTech) Gymnasium, saw top class performances from schools, the community and even participants from different countries.

Dubbed by the organisers as the biggest gymnastics competition ever held in Jamaica, the event featured gymnasts as young as three years old, using world-class equipment donated by the Japanese Embassy to the Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA).

On Saturday, the large turnout of participants may have been far more than expected, but as far as the results were concerned, there were no major surprises.

Haruhi Kinoshita (17.45) topped the level two age five category with Isabela Montesso (17.40) in second place.

Renee-Ann Meeks, with a total of 17.20 points, took the level two in the age six category followed by Snema Nair (17.05) in second.

Leah-Sarah Clayton topped the age seven category on 17.75 points, while Joel Nelson (17.55) followed close in second place. In the seven plus category, Rayannah Redhi (16.65) came out victorious, followed by Rachel Miller (16.00) in second place.

Exhilarating performances

Courtney Johnson and Natalia Thomas (17.10) delivered exhilarating performances to take the level two age eight category. Amanda Thomas (16.55) claimed the third place spot. In the eight plus category, Noah Allen Smith topped the class on 18.05 points followed by Sophie Clivio (17.65) in second place and Samantha Robertson (16.55) third.

It came as no surprise when Brittany Rachman (18.70) took the level two age nine to 11 category. It was a close battle for the second and third spots which were taken by Elizabeth Miller (17.65) and Shanae Haye (17.00), respectively.

In the level three category, age nine to 11, Alexia Fairweather (17.45) claimed the top spot and Jordan Foster (16.55) came in second place.

The most competitive events of the evening, the JAGA, levels one to three, saw participants competing in four categories: vault, bars, beam and floor.

Annika Ellis (38.40) took top spot in the level two age six and seven categories, while Vanessa Rose (36.30) edged Kathryn Lee (35.75) to take the level two age eight and up event.

Sonjae Scarlett (36.95) won the level three age seven to nine group with Emily McDonald and Danielle Bennett (36.90) tying for second place. Alex Marzouca (38.00) took the age 10 and up category and Shania Edgar (38.85) the level four.

Age six and seven categories

In the JAGA school category, Balcombe Drive Primary topped the level two age six and seven categories with Donteai Jackson scoring 8.90 points and the age 11 with AnnaKay Aitken (9.35).

Tonecia Lawrence (9.00) of Maxfield Park Primary took the level two age eight category and Angelee Doman (9.20) the age 11 and over.

Lateka Murray (9.60) of Hope Valley Experimental won the age nine category and Romario Edwards (9.45) of Seaward All-Age topped the over 10 category.

The two-day event, which culminated on Sunday, saw the JAGA level two and three for teenagers and adults and the open level A, B, C and International events.

Individuals competed in the floor and bars categories. Rajif Redhi (17.90) took the age five category and Jordan McMorris (18.00) won the age five plus category.

Bianca Ardito, Imani Gordon and Karyll Bennett (18.30) tied for the top spot in the age 12 and up group.

Amanda Graham (9.00) of G.C. Foster College took the adult category ahead of teammates William Morgan and Anthony Nelson, who tied for second place on 8.90.

Lauren Hansle (18.60) took top spot in the 13 and up category ahead of Elizabeth Wright (18.20) and Tujiagenda Beckford (17.90).