Photo: Some participants of Sesa Gymnastics with gold medals

by Kristen Ku

BELMOPAN, Wed. Oct. 11, 2023

In a historic achievement for Belize, young gymnasts won both Gold and Silver medals on their debut in the Copa Gilling International Competition, held in Cancun, Mexico on the 7 & 8 of October.

Copa Gilling, organized by Gilling Activewear, is an international gymnastics competition unfolding throughout Mexico. This year, Copa Gilling Cancun 2023 was held at the Iberostar Hotel and witnessed the exuberant participation of over 2,000 infant and youth gymnasts across 20 countries, mainly from Central and South America.

Belize was represented by seven diligent girls ages 8-14, spanning two levels. These athletes included Za’Niyah Blades, Skylar Reimer, Kaylana Reimer, and Jaillene Blanco, all in Level 1; while Level 2 included Selene Bedran, Sara Acevedo, and Opal Bridgeman.

Navigating through apparatuses such as the Floor, Beam, Bar, and Jumps, each participant engaged in meticulous inspections by international judges.

Coaches Susen Bedran and Rita Acevedo reflected on the rigorous training they underwent to ensure the girls achieved optimal performance, even amidst scarce resources and a strict budget.

However, financial challenges were their biggest limitation throughout their journey, Bedran shared, including “trying to get the funds to get there, to get the uniforms, the traveling fees, to the registration fees and all the fees that come along with it.”

Acevedo further highlighted a desire to involve more children, lamenting that some parents could not afford the related expenses

“One of the challenges is that we wish to bring in more kids, but some parents were not able to cover the expenses for them. We want to bring more kids to live the experience because it’s not just the competition, but to live the experience and to see others like them and be able to represent their country,” expressed Acevedo.

Impressively, in Level One, Belize’s gymnasts not only participated, but triumphed. Skylar Reimer brought home all Gold medals in all her categories; Kaylana Reimer and Jaillene Blanco similarly earned Gold for nearly all categories except Bars where they earned a Silver medal. Za’Niyah Blades won 3 Gold medals in the Floor, Jumps, and Beam category, respectively, with Bronze in Bars and Silver for Overall.

Meanwhile, at Level 2, Selene Bedran brought home Gold medals in Floor and Jump and Silver medals in Beam, Bars, and Overall; while Sara Acevedo and Opal Bridgeman, both shone bright with all Gold medals in all categories.

Coach Acevedo highlighted the emotions felt in making history for their country, stating, “There is a lot of talent from the girls in Belize and it is a dream to see it and be able to do it and be in a place like that with your flag and uniform. Even for us, having our shirts saying ‘Coach Belize,’ and when they called it, us, we couldn’t believe it.”

Despite Belize’s early stage in the sport and the minimal experience of the coaches and athletes, the remarkable performance has notably motivated the team. Sesa Gymnastics officially opened its doors in November 2022, after both coaches, who happened to be parents to two young best friends, were compelled to have their daughters enrolled in online gymnastics during the two-year pandemic lockdown.

After both families slowly began investing in equipment, Bedran, who already owned a very well-known Dansa Studio in Belmopan, took it upon herself to relocate it to her studio where the space was more promising.

Slowly they began announcing gymnastic classes to the community, which garnered an overwhelming number of close to 50 students. The generated funds facilitated collaboration with a foreign instructor to further train the coaches.

Aiming to expand its studio and increase competition participation, Sesa Gymnastics aspires to enhance the progression of its athletes. “We don’t plan on slowing down. Once we start we have to keep it going; the girls need to keep progressing. They can’t stay where they are,” both coaches asserted.

As young as the sport is in the Belizean arena, the reality is that it is an expensive sport. Sesa Gymnastics therefore hopes to one day partner with organizations to advance what they have begun.