Paris, France – This weekend, the spotlight of world gymnastics falls on the Accor Arena in Paris, where 218 athletes from 51 nations will compete in the prestigious FIG World Cup Challenge. Among them are four of South Africa’s finest: Caitlin Rooskrantz, Naveen Daries, Buthle Nhleko, and Zelmé Daries.
For Team South Africa, the event represents more than just a competition – it is a vital stepping stone toward next month’s World Championships in Indonesia. Coach Ilse Pelser underlined the importance of Paris as “probably one of the biggest World Cups we’ve ever attended,” with deep international fields and gymnasts adding difficulty to their routines ahead of October’s global stage.
A Return and a Renewal: Caitlin Rooskrantz
For Olympian Caitlin Rooskrantz, Paris marks an emotional return to international competition after her injury setback at last year’s Games. “Making this Paris and Worlds team was definitely a surprise for me,” she admitted. “For me, Paris is more of a stepping stone to get back out there, get the feel going again, and build toward the World Championships and ultimately December’s Commonwealth Games trials.”
Rooskrantz, now a two-time Olympian, carries her past experiences with pride. “It is always a reminder to myself of what I’ve managed to achieve. Not a lot of people can say they are two-time Olympians. I walk in with my chin a little higher, knowing what I am capable of.”
Growth and Goals: Buthle Nhleko
For Buthle Nhleko, the Paris competition is both preparation and opportunity. “I think both Paris and Worlds are individual competitions – the goal is to focus on being the best I can possibly be,” she explained. Her immediate target is to improve on her last World Cup scores with clean, confident routines.
When asked about the visibility of gymnastics in South Africa, Nhleko emphasized its importance: “In South Africa there’s not much exposure when it comes to the sport. We have so much talent, but without exposure, opportunities are limited. Competing on big stages like this is about more than us – it’s about showing young gymnasts back home what’s possible.”
Stepping Stones: Naveen Daries
Like Rooskrantz, fellow Olympian Naveen Daries views Paris as part of a larger journey. “For me, Paris is just more like a stepping stone, and so is Worlds, because our important trials are in December for the African Championships and Commonwealth Games,” she said.
We also asked Daries how she manages the pressure of such a physically demanding sport alongside international travel and tight schedules. She highlighted the mental demands of back-to-back competitions: “The up and down between competition highs and training can be hard, but with a good support system, you can handle it. For me, it’s always about trying to be better than I was yesterday.”
A Coach’s Perspective
Coach Ilse Pelser has guided the team through a demanding training block of “six days a week, six hours a day” in preparation. She sees Paris as a crucial test. “The goal really is for the gymnasts to do their routines as cleanly as possible without falls and mistakes. We’ve added difficulty, and Paris is the perfect opportunity to test it before Worlds.”
Pelser also reflected on South Africa’s broader progress in world gymnastics. “We started out 10 years ago in the bottom third of the world. Now we’ve moved into the middle third, and we’re pushing into the top third. Some of our gymnasts have already broken through at that level, and with the rest of the team continuing to grow, we’re getting closer.”
Looking Ahead
The South African quartet will line up in Saturday’s qualification rounds, with Sunday’s finals offering a chance to measure themselves against some of the world’s very best. More than medals, however, this weekend represents growth, resilience, and inspiration.
As Rooskrantz, Daries, Nhleko, and Zelmé Daries take to the floor, they carry with them the dreams of a new generation of South African gymnasts – proof that with hard work and belief, a place among the world’s elite is within reach.
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