Sofia Over the Moon at Team Scotland Selection
The gymnastics Commonwealth Games team has been boosted today with the addition of a women’s artistic gymnast for Gold Coast 2018.
Sofia Ramzan from Dundee Gymnastics Club 2K will join the eight gymnasts already named in the team, having also reached the qualifying standards for selection. Coached by Bea Peterson, she has been part of the national performance programme over the past year and has been training with her teammates this week at sportscotland Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre.
The 17 year-old took three individual silver medals, including the all-around, at the 2017 Scottish Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and joins Cara Kennedy, Shannon Archer and Isabella Tolometti in the women’s team event. With Gold Coast her first experience of Commonwealth Games competition, she will look to build on recent international success having taken three medals at the Malar Cup International plus a gold and bronze at the Stormarn Cup in 2017.
The Grove Academy student was understandably buzzing about being called up by Team Scotland. She said:
“I’m really excited and happy, and shocked as well! My family and coach are over the moon too. It has been a huge turning point since Monday. I think the news has hit us all ten times more, as I wasn’t expecting it, so we’re more overwhelmed and happy. They’re proud of me as well.
“When the rest of the women’s team found out I was joining them, they messaged to say how happy they were and all came running out to see me and give me a hug when I arrived a day late at camp in Largs.
“I’ve been training with the men and women for a while, so I know them all, but it will now be good to get feedback from the guys with who have done Commonwealth Games already on how to cope with it all, so I’m looking forward to that.
“I will be giving it my all. Firstly, I’m looking forward to the Scottish and British Championships as they are my top favourite competitions I’ve competed in.”
Scottish Gymnastics Performance Manager Jamie Bowie, who is also gymnastics team manager for Gold Coast, added: “We are delighted that Sofia has been selected by Team Scotland in their latest wave of announcements, strengthening the depth of the Women’s Artistic team heading out to Gold Coast. Sofia’s selection is testament to the hard work and commitment of gymnasts, coaches and clubs who are part of the National Performance Programme.
“As Scottish Gymnastics aspire to world class, I am confident the gymnasts who will step onto the plane to Gold Coast in just over a month, will deliver their best performance on the Commonwealth stage and will return home to inspire the next generation of gymnasts.
“In the last 12 months the National Performance Programme has supported coaches and gymnasts with all aspects of performance, from the technical input from our National Technical Advisors to physical preparation, physiotherapy and nutrition from the recruited experts in these fields.”
Sofia was announced, along with three squash players, as athletes and staff for Team Scotland 2018 gathered in Dunblane for the final team camp before the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. With the overwhelming majority of the 211 selected athletes in attendance, it was a first coming together of all 18 sports, with the Team Scotland ethos of ‘One Team’ central to proceedings.
Information ranging from travel, acclimatisation and health, to living in the Athletes’ Village and performing at a multi-sport Games was on the agenda. Team Scotland 2018 also had the opportunity to hear from past athletes as they shared their experiences and passed on their top tips for a successful Games, before the day ended with the all-important collection of the team kit.
Jon Doig OBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission said: “Today has been a fantastic opportunity for athletes and staff to get to know each other and come together as one team before heading to Australia over the coming weeks. The information they have received will stand them in great stead for Gold Coast and we hope they leave inspired and ready to perform with distinction, as we aim for our best overseas Games in history.”
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games take place between 4 and 15 April.
You can read about the other gymnasts selected for the Games here.