INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 10, 2005 — Kyson Bunthuwong of El Cerrito, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics and Tim Gentry of Plano, Texas/World Olympic Gymnastics Academy lead the junior men’s all-around competition in the 16-18 and 14-15 divisions, respectively, after the first day competition at the Visa Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
While the junior all-around champions will not be determined until Friday night, six event champions in each age division were crowned this afternoon.
Bunthuwong, the defending junior national champion, was in seventh place after the second of six rotations, but strong efforts on vault and parallel bars moved him into the lead. His all-around score of 50.350 is seven-tenths ahead of his nearest competitor. Seung Tai Lee of Sorrento, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, who is currently second, scored 49.650 points. Jason Chu of Bellflower, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics was third, with 48.950.
Bunthuwong’s 8.300 on parallel bars was good for the junior event title. He also won pommel horse, 8.800. Tai Lee won rings, while Cole Storer of Plano, Texas/World Olympic Gymnastics won floor and vault. Joe Catrambone of Deptford, N.J./Temple Gymnastics, won high bar.
“I think I had a pretty good meet, but overall it wasn’t perfect,” Bunthuwong said.
In the 14-15 age category, Gentry leads teammate Philip Onorato of Plano, Texas/ World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, 49.349 to 49.050 in the all-around.
“There’s rivalry – but it’s not bitter,” Gentry said, whose third teammate, Cole Storer of Plano, Texas, is fourth in the 16-18 division.. “We’ra all good friends.”
Onoroto earned three event titles, the most of any athlete, on floor, rings and vault, while Gentry won high bar. Miguel Pineda of Hilliard, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics, won pommel horse. Chris Cameron of Winter Haven, Fla./Florida Flips Gymnastics, won parallel bars.
Local Indiana athlete Cameron Deer of Carmel, Ind./Indy School of Gymnastics, is currently in 15th place.
The Senior Men’s preliminary competition, which counts 50% toward the total all-around and event scores, is tonight at 7 p.m. CST.
The Visa Championships include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics. Artistic gymnastics is held at Conseco Fieldhouse, with rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics staged at the Indiana Convention Center.
Tickets for the 2005 Visa Championships may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, over the phone at 317-239-5151 or at the Conseco Fieldhouse box office.