28 September 2007 By Verena Stocker
Sydney University student Greg Clune has tumbled his way to the World Gymnastic titles after a dominating performance at the National Club Championships in Adelaide on Sunday.
Clune’s first placing earned him a trip to Quebec, Canada, to compete at his first open World Championships as the only Australian representative in the tumbling event.
He will face the international goliaths China and Russia, whose dominance and depth are a far cry from the local competition in Australia.
“In Australia I’m usually competing against myself and maybe some kids that are 15 years old,” Clune says.
The lack of depth in Australian tumbling is an area of concern to the gymnast, particularly as he turns to the international arena.
However, it will not be Clune’s first exposure to the world’s best, with one familiar face amongst the competitors.
“I trained with the world champion late last year when we were training in China, so I will be competing against him,” Clune says.
Clune will also travel as the reserve for the Double Mini after finishing fourth in the event at the National Club Championships.
He will then stay on in Canada as the mentor for the younger athletes competing in the World Age Games.
While there are the obvious demanding training commitments in the next five weeks, a few more obstacles lie ahead. The Bankstown Sports Centre, home of both Clune’s gymnastics club as well as a cycling velodrome, is hosting the cycling World Masters Championships.
So Clune and two other international representatives have been asked to pack up and find another training venue. Given the requirement of a 25-metre run- up and the lack of other offers, Clune is fast running short of alternative training venues.