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GYMNASTICS
Men set sights
on Pacific titles
The men's and women's gymnastics at
the institute operate independently, rarely
needing communication because training
methods and techniques are so different.
Peter Lloyd was appointed men's coach and
Kuzuya Honda women's coach in January last
year. Lloyd was joined by Paul Szyjko and
Honda by Kym Coombes last month.
Lloyd was teaching in the Victorian Depart
ment of Education when appointed and was able
to go to Brisbane to officiate at the trials at
which the first intake of 11 men was chosen.
The institute offered much better facilities
for training than the gymnasts were accustomed
to at their home bases, Lloyd said.
"For years gymnasts have been plagued by
the problems of having to move heavy equip
ment and of securing adequate and convenient
gym time," he said.
"At the institute they have maximum time
to train and, with the new training hall complete
with essential pits, will have terrific facilities."
The climax to an excellent first year was
participation in the World championships in
Moscow in November.
Mid-year it could have been expected that
only one or two gymnasts would have made the
Australian team but fate took a hand with
injuries to senior gymnasts and the great im
provement of the young institute gymnasts
resulted in six making the seven-member Aus
tralian team.
The team was the youngest of the 27 partici
pating. Gymnasts who had not attained senior
level when they joined the institute matured so
quickly that 10 months later they were called
on to compete at international level.
Of the first intake, four did not return this
year. Two decided to compete at a lower level,
one being keen to concentrate on his job and
the other on studies, while the other two did not
immediately realise their potential but have
been invited to reapply next year.
This year the male gymnasts have set their
sights on the Pacific championships in Brisbane
in September and it is hoped that more than
half the squad will make the Australian team.
These championships will be held in Mel
bourne from September 17-18, Canberra —
September 20-21 and Brisbane — September
23-24. Among the leading gymnastics countries
which will compete are Canada, China, Japan
and the USA.
Negotiations also are under way for a tour
to China for training and competition in Octo
ber.
The six female gymnasts who joined the
eight-member Australian team to the World
titles in Moscow had not previously been outside
the country.
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