State gymnasts are set to be focused on the upcoming nationals ahead of the Tasmanian championships this weekend in Hobart.
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The two-day event at the State Gymnastics Centre will be the final trial for Tasmanians aiming to qualify at the Australian championships next month in Melbourne.
The highlight of the state competition will be the inclusion of three Olympic disciplines: men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics and also trampoline gymnastics.
Retired trampoliner Jack Penny – a regular Australian representative on the world stage – will be absent from competition for the first time in 17 years.
The Launceston 28-year-old had been a member of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic shadow squads.
But Penny’s place at the state titles will be taken up by Launceston pair Dylan Hill and Nathaniel Suidgeest.
Current Australian bronze medalist Grace Gaby will be heavily favoured to qualify for Melbourne in the level 10 all-round event.
The Burnie gymnast won a state gold last year in the level 9 overall division.
Gaby’s main rivals with Hobart trio Eleanor Higginbotham, Sophie Delaney and Sashia Bingham.
The action will start from 1pm at the State Gymnastics Centre in Kingston.
Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
