All candidates, FIG experts, and demonstrators at the ART FIG Level 1 Academy

Wang Ying (WAG) from China during her presentation

Between 17 to 24 June 2018, Singapore Gymnastics (SG) was privileged to host the Artistic Gymnastics (ART) Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Level 1 Coach Academy in Singapore for the first time.

For the ART Academy's debut in Singapore, SG was pleased to have experts Derick Scholtz, Andres Martinez Monero, Jacques Renson, and Anastasia Umeh all the way from South Africa, Colombia, Belgium, and Canada respectively present the lectures. The course, stretching over 7 full days, was attended by 29 participants, 19 of which, although of different nationalities, were based locally.

The Academy proved to be very rigorous, stretching the participants to their limits by covering a spectrum of theory topics ranging from biomechanics to physiology and sport psychology in the first half of the day, followed by full on practical segment in the afternoon till evening. On top of that, the candidates had to manage their time to ensure that they could factor in studying for the theory exam as well as preparing for their practical exam by conducting a 10-minute presentation in English, regardless of nationality. While the Academy proved to stretch the candidates past their comfort zones, the candidates were still grateful for the opportunity to be part of the event.

With the mix of different backgrounds from varying life and coaching experience levels, to the multi racialism, and differences in language abilities, the practical presentation proved to have the most interesting outcome. Topping the class were Hung Qian You and Christine Ooi, both from Singapore, for MAG and WAG disciplines respectively. A notable achievement was also displayed by Maksim Sytsko and Zhang Ruoping, in the practical presentation where they came in first in MAG and WAG respectively, despite being far from fluent in English .

SG would like to extend our sincere thanks to the experts for all their encouragement and guidance. Not forgetting the kind support from the gymnastics Federations of Bangladesh, Iran, Ukraine, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, The United States of America, Belarus, and China, without which, this Academy would not have been possible.