Jacksonville, Fla., will host the 1999 Four Continents Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships June 10-13 at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center, showcasing top rhythmic gymnasts from all over the world, excluding Europe. A record 23 countries will compete in this significant international competition prior to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. INDIANAPOLIS:
Leading the list of competitors are two Jacksonville natives – Jessica Howard, currently ranked number two on the senior national team, and Lindsay Powell, ranked number one on the junior national team. Both girls are expected to be key competitors for the United States in the championships.
Joining Howard to compete for the United States in the Senior Division are Natalie Lacuesta of Wilmette, Ill., the 1997 and 1998 Rhythmic Senior National Champion, and Tatyana Brikulskaya of New York City, NY.
Other athletes to watch include China’s Weixiao Wang and Japan’s Murata Yukari. Both gymnasts have posted impressive results throughout the past year.
Teams from the United States, Canada, Japan, China and Kazakhstan are favored going into the 1999 Four Continents Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships.
The format of the championships includes junior and senior individual and group competition. Gymnasts are scored in rope, hope, ball, clubs and ribbon events.
A media opportunity is scheduled the morning of June 9, 1999. Media are welcome to attend a training session of the United States Rhythmic National Team which will take place from 9:00-11:00 a.m, followed by an opportunity to speak with the team members.