38 Navan gymnasts to represent Ireland in European Championships

Hannah McNamara

Navan-based gymnastics group are to heading to Spain to compete in the European Championships.

Navan's Impulse Gymnastics club qualified for the forthcoming XIX Fit Kid European Championships, which they are competing in for the ninth time and the Acro Free Dance European Open Cup for the second time.

The 38 athletes from the club representing Ireland will compete on the European stage in first-class (10 kids), in second-class/A (11 kids), and in second-class/B (13 kids) solo competition routines, as well as two teams and two duos in first-class, and three teams and four duos in second class.

This international event will be held by FitKid FEBD in Alicante, Spain on the 9-12th of November.

The routines presented at these competitions will be assessed by eight expert judges. Four of these judges will evaluate artistic effect and the others score the technical execution and content. The routines must include elements of flexibility, power, acrobatics, and aerobic and gymnastic jumps.

Ildiko Molnar-Kosa, Director of Fit Kid Ireland and Chief Coordinator of the International Fit Kid Division said: "We are immensely proud of all of them. Fit Kid is a challenging and complex sport that combines the acrobatic elements of floor gymnastics with the flexibility elements of rhythmic gymnastics, the jumps of aerobic and rhythmic gymnastics, and the power elements of gymnastics and aerobics with dance. Furthermore, they must execute lifts in team formations. "

The gymnastics team are receiving plenty of support from local businesses such as their sponsors Province 5 Security Ltd, Navan and The Round O Bar who posted to social media: "Best of luck to all impulse gymnastics team in the European championship."

A billboard has also been displayed in the town at the Solstice roundabout wishing the girls the best of luck.

Fit Kid has been popular in Europe for 26 years. Ildiko Molnar-Kosa fell in love with the sport ten years ago and introduced it to Ireland with Impulse Gymnastics Club being the first club in Ireland to train children using the Fit Kid system.

Speaking about the progression of the sport, Ildiko said: "Mairead McFadden, a former competitor, third place European Champion, and later our assistant coach, is now the head coach of the club."

Impulse Gymnastics in Navan was established ten years ago and have since seen many of their members receive championship titles.

The club which is open six days a week train both competitive and recreational gymnasts. During recreational Fit Kid training sessions, they focus on developing the child's endurance, flexibility, fitness and sense of rhythm. The competitive gymnasts receive much more advanced training in a higher number of hours.

Each year following the European Championships, Impulse Gymnastics offer those in the recreational classes the opportunity to join the competitor team. Ildiko said: "We identify their talent and potential throughout the year. We closely monitor the children, and those who demonstrate the promise of becoming accomplished competitors are added to the list. This year, once again, we are excitedly anticipating the growth of new competitors."

The Impulse gymnasts who are going to Spain include: World and European champions, Eszter Gyöngy Molnar and Kayleigh Murray; European Open Cup champions, Roberta Bonescu and Zoe Reilly; Second and third European champions, Leja Zacharova, Ieva Liutkeviciute, Emily Keogan, Mya Mugisha, Kellie Finnegan, Zuzanna Paduchowicz, Mia Marzec, Vivien Gabor; Athletes who achieved honourable positions, Gabriele Sinickaite, Amy McCabe, Elizabete Eglite, Sadbh O'Neill, Mia Travers, Elizabeth Keenan, Emilia Dogocher, Neesha Lynskey, Teja Striugaite, Nevaeh Conolly, Enya Allen, Madeline Keenan, Caroline Keenan, Ellie Cassidy, Keelin Lynskey, Beth Kirwan, and Penny Mc Guinness; Nine competitors who will compete at the European Championship for the first time, Amelia Urbonaite, Eva Gajdosova, Charlotte Downes, Ciara Mc Nulty, Julia Szwajca, Lillie Copeland, Phoebe Farrelly, Ella Travers, and Elizabeth Sofia Merenciuc. The youngest competitors are only seven, but their dedication and hard work in preparation for the competition makes the club confident in their abilities.

To keep updated with the club while they compete in Spain, go to their Facebook page 'Impulse Gymnastics Club'.

For more information about the club you can contact them at impulsegymnastics@gmail.com or Ildiko Molnar-Kosa 0870907249