Gymnasts to represent SA in London
Leilah Rauch, Kaylee Maltz, and Chantae Moller, will represent Team South Africa at the Rose Bowl Rushmoor Gymnastics Competition in London at the end of October.
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There’s excitement at Mega Gymnastics Academy in Montague Gardens as three of its athletes - Leilah Rauch, Chantae Moller, and Kaylee Maltz - prepare to represent Team South Africa at the Rose Bowl Rushmoor Gymnastics Competition in London next week.
The competition takes place from Monday, October 20, and the girls are expected to return on Monday, October 27.
Coach Lindsay Buckley said the Rose Bowl Rushmoor Competition attracts top gymnasts from around the world and gives them a chance to compete on an international stage. She and coach Cheryl Erickson have played key roles in guiding the gymnasts.
For Leilah, Chantae, and Kaylee, this selection marks a milestone for both their club and community.
Last year, Tabletalk met Chantae and Kaylee when they represented South Africa at the Vera Caslavska Competition in the Czech Republic alongside teammate Emma-Jane Smuts (“Gymnasts strive for podium finish,” Tabletalk, November 15).
This year, they will be joined by Leilah, who is competing abroad for the first time.
Leilah said she’s thrilled about the opportunity.
“I’m so excited. I can’t wait to meet gymnasts and people from other countries and to do some sightseeing in London. It helps that my teammates have competed abroad before; they’ll equip me with the do’s and don'ts,” she said.
Ms Buckley said the team’s dedication and work ethic have been outstanding.
“These girls have shown incredible determination and have earned this opportunity through sheer perseverance. They train every day for three and a half hours and have been following an eight-week competition plan to prepare for London,” she said.
She said that their progress over the past year has been inspiring.
“They’ve grown not just in technical ability but in maturity, confidence, and resilience. Watching them evolve into focused athletes ready for the international stage has been incredibly rewarding.”
“To my girls — you’ve already made everyone at Mega Gymnastics Academy so proud. Trust in your training, believe in yourselves, and enjoy every second of this experience,” she said.