Para Gymnastics | Scottish first for men’s artistic internationally in Finland
Six women’s and one men’s artistic gymnast from Scotland showcased Para Gymnastics in Finland over weekend.
A seven strong team of Scottish gymnasts travelled to Finland over the weekend to promote Para Gymnastics. Marja Räisänen, a top Finnish brevet judge, directly invited the delegation to showcase their routines. The event was hosted in a local club VSKU Gymnastics in Tuusula.
Scottish Gymnastics Youth Forum member Harley Davis became the first Scot to trial a draft of the Para men’s artistic code. Speaking to us about how it felt to make his international debut, Harley said:
“My highlight was attending Finland as a Scottish gymnast and inspiring others that Para Gymnastics is a thing.
“There’s so much more to aim for as a gymnast with a physical disability now.”
On the women’s artistic side, Monica Fisher, Sophie Ireland, Zara Coote and Iona Timmons represented Scotland last year in the first ever Para international. This time round, younger team members Millie Sinnott and Scarlett Docherty-Lynass from the City of Glasgow joined.
Marja alongside Jonna Salonen (pictured above centre and left) judged the disability gymnasts’ routines across the various levels on each piece. Both jointly commented:
“It was an honour to be apart of the panel judging the Para gymnasts and local Special Olympic gymnast Sara Rummukainen (pictured in red).
“The event was filled with skill, encouragement and impressive artistic expression. It also offered valuable hands-on experience with the sports various rules as a judge.”
Sini Mattila and Katja Saarinen represented Finnish Gymnastics and the Finnish Paralympic committee respectively to see the gymnasts in action. With the knowledge learnt they hope to grow their Para Gymnastics programme nationally. These showcases aim to inspire and encourage other nations too to have hopes of future official Paralympic inclusion.
Congratulations to the gymnasts and their personal coaches on another successful international trip and contribution to developing Para Gymnastics.
Learn more about disability gymnastics here in Scotland through the buttons below.