Dancing Deb does Aussies proud
THREE major international tournaments in just three weeks would be a heavy load for any elite athlete, but like all of her sporting and academic pursuits, aerobic gymnastics competitor Deborah Greenbaum eagerly stepped up to the challenge.
THREE major international tournaments in just three weeks would be a heavy load for any elite athlete, but like all of her sporting and academic pursuits, aerobic gymnastics competitor Deborah Greenbaum eagerly stepped up to the challenge.
First up was the Cantanhede Aerobic World Cup in Portugal, where Greenbaum was the top-ranked member of Australia’s team and had the opportunity to execute a new routine.
The Aussies finished 16th overall in the senior individual category final on March 31 with a solid score of 18.950, and Greenbaum was pleased with the feedback received from the judges.
The Aussies then only had a few days to train for the next competition, the Lithuanian Open, and were fortunate to be invited to practise with the Italian team in Milan.
“We received an incredible welcome in Italy,” Greenbaum said, before heading to the Lithuanian city of Prienai, where she came equal third in the senior individual qualification round.
An unlucky slip reduced her finals score by one point to 19.45, putting her out of contention, but she achieved the highest score for artistry.
“That’s just how it goes – sometimes you miss a step or a catch and the rest is history,” Greenbaum said.
The University of Sydney pharmacy student and PLC Gymnastics Club member – who is also an international-qualified judge and coach, youth committee member and artistic gymnastics athlete – was able to lift for the third event, the Suzuki Aerobic Gymnastics World Cup tournament, in Tokyo on April 13 and 14.
In a strong performance by the Australians, Greenbaum finished 13th in the senior individual final with an impressive score of 19.550, and her teammate Olivia Feaver came 17th.
Australia came 6th and 11th in the junior divisions, before Greenbaum, Carissa Uno and Grace Klepich – competing for the first time together – placed 10th in the senior trio final after scoring 18.905.
SHANE DESIATNIK
comments