Rhythmic gymnastics: Canterbury challenge for Otago

A strong contingent from Canterbury will test the abilities of Otago's top rhythmic gymnasts at the Otago championships this weekend.

"Canterbury is the strongest province in rhythmic gymnastics and their team will challenge the Otago competitors and give them an idea where they sit in the national scene," organising committee member Pip Hannah said yesterday.

Canterbury is bringing a team of 60 gymnasts to the championships at the Caledonian Gymnasium.

The field of 105 competitors makes it the largest Otago championships this century.

Included in the Olympia club team from Christchurch are Mereana Rademakers and Keziah Oliver, who are contenders for a place in the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team for New Delhi.

Otago's top rhythmic gymnasts, Mikaela Walsh (16), Sarah Morrison (15) and Regan King (14), who have all represented New Zealand, face a challenge against elite opposition of this calibre.

Walsh, a pupil at St Hilda's Collegiate School, started gymnastics at 5 and is coached by Keita McGowan at the Southern Gymnastics Academy.

Morrison, a pupil at Queen's High School, and King, a pupil at Kavanagh College, are both members of the Greater Green Island club and are coached by Sonya Hooper.

Walsh and Morrison will compete for New Zealand at the Australian championships in Perth next month.

A younger Otago competitor to watch is Rosie Hardie (Greater Green Island) in the level 5 grade. She a won a silver medal at the New Zealand championships in Hamilton last year.

The routines used are the ribbon, rope, hoop, ball and club.

There will be two full days at the Caledonian Gymnasium with the elite grade between 1.30pm and 3.30pm today.