22 July 2015
KAWERAU’S Devon Kahika-Campbell is aiming at a solid national placing as he builds up to an international event.
The 17-year old level seven gymnast will compete in the national championships in Auckland in October where he is hoping for a top-three placing.
He placed first overall at the Midland championships last week to follow up on a second overall placing at the Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay champs where he placed first on the pommel, floor, high bar and parallel bar apparatus.
Fellow Kawerau gymnast Shayne Buckeridge was first overall in the level five section at the same event.
Devon will attend the Valeri Liukin Invitational at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Texas in December and he needs to raise $9000 to make the trip.
The invitational event has been held each year since 1996 and it has attracted top teams from around the world.
Liukin was a prominent Russian gymnast winning two gold and two silver medals at the 1988 Olympic Games.
He won world championships in 1987 and 1991.
He also coached his daughter who won gold in 2008 and four titles at the 2005 and 2007 world championships.
Source: Whakatane Beacon, http://www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz/2015/07/devon-takes-aim-at-us/
Photo: Louis Klaassen