Gym Sports Otago award winners (from left) are Luciana
Blaga, coach of the year, Mikaela Walsh (16), gymnast, Pip
Hannah, volunteer. Photo by Jane Dawber.
New Zealand rhythmical gymnastics was given a shot in the
arm when Luciana Blaga emigrated to New Zealand with husband
Dragos nine years ago.
She was a Romanian gymnastics representative from 1981-85 and
her best international performance was to win a bronze medal
in the ribbon at the Polish international.
Since coming to New Zealand, Blaga has coached at the
Southern Rhythmic Gymnastics Club and has lifted the standard
of the sport in Otago.
Her contribution was recognised by Gym Sports Otago last
weekend when she was named the Otago Coach of the Year.
Romania is a powerhouse of world gymnastics along with
Russia, China and the United States.
The sport in Romania has a similar status to rugby in New
Zealand.
Blaga's contribution to rhythmic gymnastics in New Zealand,
and especially Otago, was recognised nationally this year
when she was selected as head coach for the 2010 NZ Levels
team that competed at the Australian National Championships
in Perth in July.
Her dedication to her gymnasts this year has resulted in
several individual gold and bronze placings at the national
championships and a second placing for her grade 4 group.
Blaga (40), an occupational therapist at Dunedin Hospital,
won a gold and silver medal at Romanian championships.
Blaga coaches at the Southern Rhythmic Gymnastics Club with
Keita McGowan and is a member of the southern regional board
for Gymnastics Sports New Zealand.
The best-performed gymnast at the Southern Rhythmic
Gymnastics Club was Mikaela Walsh (16) who was named the
Otago Gymnast of the Year.
Walsh was the second best gymnast over all grades at the
national championships in Hamilton in October.
She represented New Zealand at the Australian championships
and was the best performed New Zealand gymnast in level
eight.
Walsh, a pupil at St Hilda's Collegiate School, placed first
in all but one regional competition and won the New Zealand
secondary schools competition and was second overall at the
New Zealand open championships.
Pip Hannah, the treasurer of the Greater Green Island Club
and manager of the Otago rhythmic gymnastic team at the
national championships, was named the Otago Volunteer of the
Year.
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