Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Double gold glory for gymnast Wilson

Golden girl: Sadia Wilson

Bermuda’s Sadia Wilson showed nerves of steel to seize gold in the balance beam and the uneven parallel bars on the final day of the women’s gymnastics at the NatWest Island Games.The 13-year-old scored 12.850 in the balance beam and 12.800 in the uneven parallel bars in the SET individual round at the National Training Centre in St David’s today.Also medalling for Bermuda was Gabby Vincent, 15, who won bronze in the uneven parallel bars with 12.550.A pep talk midway through the competition from Bermuda head coach Duke Nelligan seemed to bring out the best in Wilson, who become visibly more relaxed and assured with each routine.“From the first day we worked with Sadia four years ago, she has had to work on her nerves and learn to keep her focus,” said Nelligan.“I had to get on her case a little bit in the middle of the meet, but when I looked at her with those medals around her neck and asked, ‘well, was it worth me getting on you?’ and she said ‘yes.’”Wilson looks set to move to the UK to continue her development, with Nelligan confident she can become an international performer if she can marry her talent with mental toughness.“There’s a good possibility she will be going to the UK to do more rigorous training and we wish her the best,” Nelligan said.“If Sadia’s in an environment where she’s around more aggressive, experienced kids that will help her get to the next level.“Sadia is very talented and has the ability to compete internationally.“But as far as what we’ve done with her, I think her success is a pretty good indication that our system is growing and we’re starting to produce the next group of talented gymnasts.”Nelligan admits his stable of gymnasts are sometimes ‘too nice’ and could benefit from developing a ruthless competitive streak.He was, however, encouraged to see tangible signs during these Games that they are starting to develop an appetite for battle.“We need to move on from just giving our best, we need to become more relentless, aggressive and assertive,” said the former University of Maryland coach.“Our girls are very kind, warm and open by nature and it’s sometimes hard to get them to be competitive.“But I think they’re getting the hang of it and starting to like winning medals.“I’ve told them ‘if you like medals and you want to be on the podium, then you must produce.’“I was thrilled with how all of our girls did today — they embraced the pressure instead of running away from it.”These Games are the first to be held at the Southside training centre and Nelligan said he was thrilled with the smooth running of the event.“Southside is our home and we’re very proud of it,” said Nelligan, whose DIY ingenuity has helped revamp the centre on a shoestring budget.“This facility emulates what we’re doing — we’re growing and getting stronger thanks to our athletes, coaches, parents and corporate sponsors.”It was only apt for the medals to be presented by Bermuda’s 30-medal Island Games phenomenon Kaisey Griffith.In the previous four Games she struck gold 21 times and won a further nine medals to become arguably Bermuda’s most medalled competitor in the biennial event.At only 20, Griffith may well have added to her medal haul in this year’s Games, however completing her university degree course in the UK took precedence.“I was really pleased that we were able to medal today and keep up Kaisey’s Island Games legacy,” added Nelligan.Bermuda’s Tabytha Hofheins captured bronze in the women’s FIG individual beam at the Games on Tuesday, while the Island’s girls claimed silver in the team floor/vault event on Monday.Isle of Man’s gymnasts were the dominate force at the Games winning the team event and a slew of individual medals.