GYMNASTS who train in Planet Gymnastics, Grangetown, Cardiff, did themselves and their club proud recently by excelling at a local level, with four performing so well that they then went through to compete at elite level – in one case on the national stage.

Siena Salter, aged 7, of Pontypridd; Morven Donohoe, aged 8, of Cardiff and Seren Kupa, aged 9, of Penarth, placed in the top six overall of the local grading competition, so then went on to represent the South-East region at the Regional Gradings finals.

The girls were extremely successful here, with both Morven and Siena achieving a Distinction in their grade, and both coming sixth overall in their age group in the regional final. All three of the girls also received team medals for their team’s overall performance.

Ella Shaw John, aged 9, of Penarth, went straight through to the elite competition of National Finals, and passed her grade with flying colours.

Grading competitions in artistic gymnastics are extremely challenging events, with the girls having to show their skills on all four pieces of apparatus - beam, bars, floor and vault - as well as an extra, particularly difficult section, where the girls have to show range and conditioning.

The girls all worked extremely hard to get to this level of competition, training up to four times a week for a total of 14.5 hours, and their coaches are all very proud of them.

Ella, Seren, Morven and Siena’s coaches are Holly Broad, of Penarth, Emma Carey, of Cardiff. Holly said of the girls: “They worked incredibly hard for their grades, and their hard work paid off, as they went through to the finals, and did extremely well in that competition too. Success in gymnastics has less to do with talent and more to do with hard work and determination, and all three girls showed this in spades.”

Of Ella, who went straight through to National Grades – the elite level of competition for this age group, Holly said: “Ella works so hard – she is famed for practising her skills from morning til night at home, as well as in the gym.

"This was the first time she had competed at this level, so she was understandably extremely nervous - she showed off her skills very well: the future is very bright for Ella.”

Becky Morgan, director of Planet Gymnastics, was also extremely proud of the girls’ performance, and said: “These girls are very young, and really proved themselves at a very high level of competition.

"The fact that they mostly started gymnastics in our recreational classes makes me supremely proud of them: they have worked hard to get to this high standard.”

Planet Gymnastics runs classes for all ages and abilities in rhythmic and artistic gymnasts, free running, and dance.

Please ring 029 2034 3585 for more information.