Young gymnasts from the region showcase their talents in the GCC Grand Series

Haifa Niegas won the 2011 age group all-around title with a score of 64.550, with 15 gymnasts vying for the coveted Category A title. UAE national gymnast Lamia Tariq Malala finished second with 63.200 points and Ksenia Mirdova finished third with 60.500 points.

In the 2012 category A all-around competition, first place went to Meira Menon with a score of 40.200, second place went to Elena Loginova with a score of 39.750 and third place went to Cain Christina Marie with a score of 39.450.

Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, and Naser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of DSC, accompanied by Tariq Malallah, Chairman of the Championship Organizing Committee, presented awards to the winners in each category.

Haifa Negas, who was born in the Philippines and grew up in Abu Dhabi, is half Iraqi and half Filipino. He switched to rhythmic gymnastics and made rapid progress from the junior group to the advanced group in just three months. Niegas took part in the international competition in Baku for the first time, and in 2019 he took first and second place among 18 participants. After a break during Covid, Niegas took the overall win at the Stryx competition and the Dubai Schools competition before winning the GCC Grand Series overall.

“Whenever I get a good place in a competition, I feel overwhelmed that my hard work is rewarded. I always seek to improve and find ways to get better. Thanks to my parents for their dedication and support and to Alan Gymnastics The coaches of the club. My dream is to participate in the World Championships, Sea Games, Asian Games and Olympics,” said the student at Repton School in Abu Dhabi.

Emirati gymnast Lamia dropped a device during her routine, which cost her a key point and finished second.

Speaking of her performance, Lamia said: “Winning and losing is part of life as an athlete. You should be proud of your performance, no matter what place you get,” said the 11-year-old, showing maturity beyond her years Spend. A trainee at the Dubai Youth Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics Club said: “While I am not happy with my performance in Dubai, I am very nervous, excited and proud to represent the UAE at the FIG competition in Singapore later this month.”

The prestigious FIG event will be organized by the Bianka Panova Academy, the best academy in the world, from December 16th to 18th.

Another gymnast from the Dubai Youth Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics Club, Meera Menon, took top honors in Category A in 2012, beating fellow club member Elena Roginova.

“I am very happy with my performance to win the competition. My goal is to represent India,” said the fifth-year student at Dubai International Academy.

Meera has already won gymnastics competitions in Dubai and is planning to compete in FIG competitions in Singapore, among other Indian and international competitions.

“I feel really good and proud of myself,” said her teammate Elena, the fifth-grade Horizon English School student who finished second behind Mela and has participated in several other competitions in the UAE and Moscow. experience in the competition.

Considering that the number of Rhythmic Gymnastics academies and schools in Dubai has exceeded 53, the Championship is of special importance as it meets the need for development.