Ethereal ribbon dances were among the eye-popping performances when Aviator Sports & Recreation presented the Rhythmic Gymnastics Qualifying Championships during a two-day spectacle that featured “the best rhythmic athletes in the country.”
The USA Gymnastics event – the first of its kind held in New York City –featured more than 80 competitors vying for a spot in the coveted national championships, which will take place in Houston, Texas later this month.
In addition, a spectator gymnastics gala had the nimble-footed troupe performing exhibition and cheerleading routines, and artistic gymnastics, on a National Hockey League regulation-sized rink at the 25-acre mega-sports complex at historic Floyd Bennett Field.
Among the Brooklyn competitors were: Junior Olympic National Champion Rebecca Sereda; Junior National team members Gabriella Magid and Viktoria Syatkina; Senior National team member Sofa Roytburg; and Youth Elite Squad team member Martha DeMarco.
“Some of the best rhythmic gymnasts in the country train in Brooklyn,” said event director Wendy Hilliard, an Aviator consultant and a former National team member who will be inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in June.
Hilliard added that New York City’s best rhythmic gymnasts compete for one of two teams: Aviator Sports and Recreation or Isadora Rhythmics, who, between them, currently boast five out of 16 USA National Rhythmic Gymnastics team members.
The local gymnasts have traveled the world to represent the USA at international competitions, and several junior gymnasts, aged 11-14 years, are USA Gymnastics Youth Elite Team, or Future Stars, team members.
Last fall, the junior elite team from Aviator won the Group National Championship.
For information about Aviator’s recreational programs and special events, call 718-758-7575, or visit www.aviatorsports.com.
