State's best gymnasts tumble to Geelong for the Senior Victorian Championships

MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 19 April 2022

Attracting the most talented gymnasts from across the state, GymnasticsVictoria is excited to be hosting its annual Senior Victorian State Championships at Geelong Arena this weekend from 22 – 24 April.

Last held in 2019 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, the event will make its long-awaited return to the surf coast and will see just under 450 gymnasts from 60 Victorian gymnastics clubs flock to the region and contest their titles. Across the three days of competition, the event will host a feast of gymnastics action including Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, Men’s Artistic Gymnastics, Acrobatic Gymnastics, Aerobic Gymnastics and Special Olympics. Included in the line-up of talent are Tokyo Olympians Tyson Bull and Emily Whitehead who will be competing in the Senior International Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics, respectively. With both athletes in contention for 2022 Commonwealth Games selection, the event will be a pivotal step in their preparation before travelling north to the Gold Coast in May for the Australian Gymnastics Championships. Recently named as a prospective location for Gymnastics as part of Victoria's 2026 Commonwealth Games, the City of Geelong has played host to the Senior Victorian Championships since as early as 2009, originally catering for just Women’s Artistic Gymnastics(WAG) at the time. Gymnastics Victoria CEO Robin O'Neill expressed his delight in the event's return as it seeks to showcase the state's abundant pool of talent from a variety of gymsports. "It's been three years since we last held our Senior Victorian Championships, and on behalf of myself and all at Gymnastics Victoria, we are extremely thrilled to see the event return in an even bigger and better capacity," O'Neill said. "This weekend's event marks a pivotal step in the return of opportunities for our competitive athletes, and I eagerly look forward to seeing the joy on their faces as they celebrate their performances and achievements across the three-days of competition. "Thank you to the City of Greater Geelong for hosting this year's competition and supporting the pathways, events and growth of Gymnastics in our broader community." Top sessions which patrons are most encouraged to attend over the weekend include: FRIDAY 22nd APRIL

• Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) - commencing 4.30pm

• Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) – commencing 5.00pm

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL

• Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG), Senior Levels – commencing 5.30pm

• Acrobatic Gymnastics, Senior Levels – commencing 5.30pm

• Aerobic Gymnastics, All Levels – commencing 2.00pm

SUNDAY 24th APRIL

• Special Olympics (Men’s) - commencing 10.30am

• Special Olympics (Women’s) - commencing 3.30pm

• Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Teams Spectacular – commencing 3.30pm

• Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG), Senior Levels - commencing 4.30pm

Media can download images from past Senior Victorian Championships here. The Senior Victorian State Championships is open to all members of the public (must be fully vaccinated if over 18 years old) with a variety of competition sessions to entertain all patrons. Tickets start from $12.50 and can be purchased online here. The full schedule of the three-day event can be viewed at bit.ly/VicChampsSchedule22 Gymnastics Victoria would like to thank its corporate and community partners, along with the broader Victorian Gymnastics community, for their support of this annual event.

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© RELEASED FOR GYMNASTICS VICTORIA 2022