By Niyi Busari

National Youth Games (NYG) and National Sports Festival (NSF) gold medalist, Avani Goel emerged best overall gymnast at the 2023 Body Language Gymnastics competition in Lagos with 5 gold medals

She won gold in floor exercise, balance beam, on vault, uneven bars to beat other contestants to award.

The competition which is in its third edition took place in the city of Lagos last weekend with medallists going home with cash rewards and trophies.

The competition which began on Saturday ended on Sunday

No fewer than 98 gymnasts participated in the 3rd edition of the competition held in Ilupeju, Lagos.

Meanwhile, the organiser and founder of Body Language Gymnastics Club, Coach Michael Ocheke stated that more of such competition will be staged to discover young talented gymnasts will continue come up through his organization adding that the cash rewards and trophies are to encourage and spur the athletes to do more.

He reiterated the plans to use Body language Gymnastics Club as a platform to discover and develop grassroots talents in gymnastics across the country.

“Raw talents can be discovered in a competition like this and we are committed to doing more of this. This is the Third edition and we are hopeful that it continues every year.

“The essence of the competition is to discover promising young gymnasts who would fly the nation’s flag in future international competitions.

“We are already moulding one with some others. Avani Goal at her tender age has won gold medals at the National Youth Games and last two National Sports Festival. While others who will represent different states from our club are preparing and ready to beat their contestants to the podium.”

The fourth edition according to coach Michael will come in 2024.