NINE-YEAR-OLD Shannay Gentles won the mixed pairs event and finished second overall at the fifth Annual Universal Gymnastics International Invitational held at the Coconut Grove Convention Centre in Miami, Florida, January 10-12.
The Jamaican, who has previously competed in regional meets in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Mexico, competed in four events - uneven bars, uneven vault, balance beam and floor exercise - against some 800 gymnasts from 15 countries, and according to reports, impressed with flexibility and strength.
"Her achievement is significant in that she competed successfully against teenagers at Level 10 - which is above her age group," said her Japanese coach, Yasunori Ishimoto.
"Her uneven bars routine is of Olympic standard," said Ishimoto, " and she excelled against members of America's national junior team."
Gentles, who trained for seven hours each day leading up to her participation in the event, who was sponsored by RBTT Jamaica, and who returned home yesterday, says her dream is to represent Jamaica at the Olympic Games.
