Shillong, July 14: The Meghalaya Gymnastics Association (MGA) is set to introduce rhythmic gymnastics to the state, expanding its athletic repertoire.
Four state gymnasts – Iwamarbud Nongkynrih, Larihun Rosamystica, Paleihun Malngiang, and Agnes Lyngdoh – participated in the first North East coaching camp for rhythmic gymnastics. This event, organised by the Assam Gymnastics Association, took place in Nagaon from July 2nd to 10th.
The Meghalaya team distinguished itself at the camp, earning the title of Best Disciplined Team.The MGA has long been known for its excellence in artistic gymnastics, which includes floor exercise, vault, uneven bars, rings, and parallel bars. The introduction of rhythmic gymnastics marks a new chapter for the association. Rhythmic gymnastics blends elements of gymnastics, dance, and calisthenics, using hoops, balls, clubs, ribbons, and ropes. Notably, at the international level, this discipline is exclusively a women’s sport.Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. Gymnasts perform routines on a floor with an apparatus such as a rope, hoop, ball, clubs, or ribbon, accompanied by music.The key points about rhythmic gymnastics are:
It is a women-only sport, although some countries like Japan have developed men’s rhythmic gymnastics programs. Gymnasts are judged on their artistry, execution of skills, and difficulty of skills performed with the apparatus. Common apparatus used include rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon, each with their own fundamental techniques like throwing, catching, spinning, and leaping.Rhythmic gymnastics became an Olympic sport in 1984, with individual all-around competition.
