Otago gymnast performs well

Press, 2 September 1977, Page 4

Otago gymnast performs well

PA Timaru The highlight of yesterday’s competition at the national gymnastic championships in Timaru was the performance of Otago’s Malcolm Richards in the youths’ under 19 compulsory exercises. Richards won five of the six events in the grade, failing to win only the pommels event, which was won by Alistair Campbell. also of Otago. With 52.5 points, Richards must now be a strong favourite to retain his title.

A field of over 40 competed in the grade 3 women’s competition, wliich Kim Skelton, of Waikato, won by the narrow margin of 0.2 from Kirsten Mac-

asklll (Auckland) and Katy Schaumann (Otago), who were equal second.

In the women's elite grade compulsory exercises Debbie Richards (Otago) has a lead of 0.9 over Laurie Durward (Waikato). Raylene Souter (Otago) is third. Miss Richards, after winning the door, beam and vault exercises, should have a good chance of retaining the title she won last year.

Callum Durward (Otago) has a commanding lead of almost five points in the men’s grade. He won on the floo-, vault, horizontal bar. and pommels. Richard Green (Auckland) is second. with David Allan (Otago) 0.3 behind in third place.