The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IT HAS been a landmark season for gymnastics in the Bahamas and that trend continues as a pair of local gymnasts will make history at the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships.

Simone Hall and Kianna Dean are expected to represent the country at the 46th edition of the event, hosted October 23 to November 1 in Glasgow, Scotland.

The competition will serve as a qualification for the 2016 Summer Olympics and will feature over 1,000 athletes from 84 countries.

The appearance at the World Championships will be a particularly special moment for Hall, who was forced to withdraw from competition at this summer’s Pan Am Games because of an injured ankle.

“Due to my injury I was unable to compete at the Pan American Games. I did not allow that to stop me from reaching for what I wanted so I switched my focus to training for the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships,” she said. “I am not fully recovered from my injury but I owe it to my country and myself to represent to the best of my abilities. I have been doing gymnastics for 14 years and I owe it to myself to at least have something to show for it. I refuse to go about in life regretting anything because there are so many opportunities out there. With the help of God, my coaches, and the support of my country, family and friends I am going to give it my all and perform to the best of my abilities at this year’s games. No matter what happens I will always be thankful that I was given the opportunity to make it this far and be able to represent my country.”

Based in New Jersey, Hall said her focus for the season has always been representing the Bahamas in international competition.

“I came to New Jersey in January of this year. My main focus was to train for the 2015 Pan American Games, but it became more to it than just that,” she said. “I moved in with an amazing family whom I refer to as my second family and home away from home. Words can’t begin to express my love and appreciation for them and all that they have done for me, but for them I am thankful. I began my training at Gymland, Home of Arena Gymnastics. There I was coached by Ann and Valdi Kolasa, two of the best coaches that I have ever worked with.”

Dean was able to represent the Bahamas at the Pan Am Games in July where she finished with an all-around performance of 32.600 points, but did not advance.

She said she was just elated to have broken the ceiling by becoming the first competitor to represent the Bahamas in a major international competition.

“It was really amazing being able to do that and I felt I did well and I handled it well,” Dean told The Tribune. “I went into the competition knowing that my skill level wasn’t at the same level as some of the other athletes, but I didn’t let that discourage me from competing. I just tried my best and I think I succeeded.”

Dean currently trains at Park Avenue Gymnastics in Cooper City, Florida, under head coach Kathy Semok.

“I am greatly honoured and humbled to have my gymnastics career blossom and grow in the way that it has and I truly take pride in raising the bar for gymnastics in The Bahamas,” she said.

The pair will be coached by renowned national team head coach Trevor Ramsey.

“I would love to thank firstly God for giving be the ability to ever take part in the sport and reach this far. Secondly, I thank my coaches for shaping me into the gymnast I am today and also all members of the Gymnastics Federation and the Bahamas Olympic Association. I am so thankful to have such great coaches and role models such as those individuals,” Hall said. “Finally I want to thank all of my family and friends, especially my parents for believing in me and always being there for me when ever I lose hope in myself.”