Posted by nade00 on 29/6/2007, 6:49 pm

GA media release - Positions in the Australian world championships team are on the line, and this weekend’s competition in Brisbane against a high-class contingent from Japan will be another occasion for Australia’s best gymnasts to impress selectors and test their skills. Selection is critical as this year’s world titles in Stuttgart, Germany, in September are the only opportunity for Australia to qualify for the Olympic Games, with only the top 12 teams qualifying for Beijing. The Australian women have just completed a week-long camp at the Australian Institute of Sport under the guidance of national head coach Peggy Liddick and with 12 of our girls fighting it out for one of the six flights on offer to Stuttgart, the competition will be intense. Headlined by two-time national champion Dasha Joura (WA/WAIS), the women’s squad to take on Japan includes Commonwealth Games gold medallists from Queensland Naomi Russell and Chloe Sims, along with young WA pocket dynamo Lauren Mitchell. Queensland’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist and World Championships representative Hollie Dykes has been sidelined from this competition as a result of a minor back injury. All seven members of Japan’s recently selected 2007 women’s world championships team will be competing, spearheaded by Mayu Kuroda, 18, who finished fourth on the women’s uneven bars at the 2006 world titles and national champion Miki Uemura, 19. With 2006 world high bar champion Phillipe Rizzo out of action due to his recent Achilles tendon injury, our men will need to step up to the challenge against Japan, the reigning men’s team champions from the Athens Olympics and bronze medallists from last year’s world titles. After straining his knee during a mishap on vault during the Australian Championships last month, dual Australian all-around champion Joshua Jefferis is expected to return to centre stage this weekend. Fellow Queenslanders Sam Simpson, Thomas Pichler and Mathew Curtis will be joined by national all-around champion Sam Offord (SASI) and world pommel horse silver medallist Prashanth Sellathurai (NSWIS). Final Australian teams to take on Japan will be announced following podium training on Saturday night. Men’s Squad Sam Offord (SASI) Sam Simpson (QAS) Thomas Pichler (QAS) Aaron Thanas (VIC HPC) Prashanth Sellathurai (NSWIS) Josh Jefferis (AIS) Mathew Curtis (QAS) Luke Wiwatowski (NSWIS) Martin Jozwiak (WA HPC) Women’s Squad Georgia Bonora (VIC/VIS/WAGC) Ashleigh Brennan (VIC/VIS) Melody Hernandez (NSW/AIS) Melanie Jones (VIC/AIS) Dasha Joura (WA/WAIS) Lauren Mitchell (WA/WAIS) Shona Morgan (VIC/WAGC) Naomi Russell (QLD/QAS) Chloe Sims (QLD/QAS/MBC) Olivia Vivian (WA/WAIS) AUSTRALIA V JAPAN The Sleeman Centre Chandler, Queensland Sunday, 1 July 7.30pm – 10.00pm (Team - men and women) Monday, 2 July 8:00pm – 10:00pm (All Around & Apparatus finals - men and women) Tickets can be purchased from the door: Adult - $20.00 Concession - $12.00