KATY, Texas, Jan. 19, 2019 – Colt Walker of Cedar Park, Texas/AcroTex Gymnastics, and Fuzzy Benas of Richmond, Texas/Enrich Gymnastics, went one-two in the vault final at the 2019 RD761 Junior International Team Cup at the Leonard Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. Walker won five medals (one gold; two silver; two bronze), and Benas had a silver and bronze, giving the USA seven event medals.

Walker and Benas finished one-two in the vault final, with a 14.300 and 14.075 average, respectively. France’s Arthur Ballon scored a 13.075 for third.

In the floor final, Walker just missed the silver medal. Germany’s Milan Hossenini nabbed the silver at 13.250, with Walker in third at 13.200. Japan’s Ryosuke Doi was first at 13.400. Benas was eighth (10.900).

Walker claimed the still rings silver (13.400), edging out Australia’s Jack Hall (13.350). Japan’s Takeru Kitazono earned the gold (13.750). Benas was fifth (13.150).

Walker scored a 13.300 for the parallel bars bronze. Kitazono and teammate Kotaro Suetsugi were first (14.600) and second (13.400), respectively. Josh Karnes of Erie, Pa./Lakettes Gymnastics Academy, placed fifth (12.200). The horizontal bar final had Walker and Benas placing second (12.800) and third (12.550), respectively. Doi added the high bar gold (13.050) to his collection.

In the pommel horse final, Karnes finished fourth (12.950), just missing the medal podium. Kitazono took first (14.050), followed by Australia’s Kipp Smith (13.100) and Suetsugi (13.050).

Earlier in the event, Team USA was the team silver medalist, and Walker was second in the all-around. The members of the U.S. Team also included Isaiah Drake of Van Nuys, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica, and alternate Raydel Gamboa of Phoenix, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics.

Pavel Sargsyan of Gymnastics Olympica was the head coach, and Jacob Marks of Lakettes Gymnastics was the assistant. For more information on the competition, go to RD761.com.

The RD761 International Junior Team Cup is named in honor of U.S. Junior National Team member Ricky Deci, who tragically passed away in 2001. The annual RD761 age group invitational competition supports the Ricky Deci Memorial Fund.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, log on to usagym.org.