Flipping for fun and glory
BEST mates and training partners Asher Ginsburg and Jay Rosenzweig will bring new meaning to friendly competition next week when the talented teenagers go for gold at the 2015 Australian Gymnastic Championships held at Hisense Arena.
As members of the Victorian squad, Ginsburg, 17, and Rosenzweig, 16, are competing against one another in the Level 7 Open class, where the Jewish duo contests on each of the six apparatus across two days of competition.
“I’m nervous, but very excited,” Ginsburg told The AJN, while putting the final touches on his routine with Wesley Lions gymnastics coach Paul Wiwatowski.
“We compete in floor, pommel, rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar,” he added. “My favorite section is floor -– there’s no distractions, it’s just you and the floor so it feels more natural.”
The Year 12 student at McKinnon Secondary College -– “I honestly don’t think I could VCE without gymnastics” -– has a refreshingly laidback approach to competition and said he just wants to experience as much of the event as possible, which includes taking notes from the Aussie gymnasts trying to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
On the topic of his Wesley teammate and friend of 10 years, Ginsburg said: “It’s really nice to have both of us going. We’ve been working together for so long so it’s pretty great to reach this milestone together.”
Rosenzweig echoed the sentiment: “It’s wonderful to be going with one of my best friends. There has always been a lot of friendly competition between us and I’m sure this comp will be no exception.”
With a special panache for the parallel bars and rings, the Mount Scopus year 11 student is aiming high next week.
“My goal is to win gold, either as a team or individual. I want to beat my PB and, of course, have fun,” he said.
Rounding off the small Jewish contingent at next week’s nationals is 12-year-old Rashelle Feldman, who currently holds the 2015 Victorian Championship in Level 8 Junior.
The Glen Iris Rhythmic Gymnastic Club member uses Hava Nagila music in her routine and will be flying to Italy post-Championships for her third international competition.
ADAM BLAU
Pictured: Asher Ginsburg (left) and Jay Rosenzweig will compete at the National Gymnastic Championships next week. Brett Ginsburg/Creatography
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