RIZZO CREATES AUSTRALIAN GYMNASTIC HISTORY
5 November 2001
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) gymnast Philippe Rizzo has created history by becoming the first Australian gymnast to win a medal at a world championship.
Competing against the best gymnasts in the world, Rizzo produced an incredible performance on the High Bars scoring 9.725 to win the silver medal just behind Maras Vlasios from Greece who produced an excellent routine to take the gold medal with a score of 9.755.
Some of the top line gymnasts competing in the World Championships in Belgium included 1997 World Champion Tanskanen (FIN), Beresh (UKR), Ivankov (BLR), Lipski (UKR) and three of the new young stars on the gymnastics world stage Cassina (ITA), Vlasios (GRE) and Schaerer (SUI).
Rizzo 20, has enjoyed a tremendous year becoming Australia's first ever gymnast to win a gold medal in the High Bars competition at the World Student Games recently held in Beijing and then later winning gold at the Goodwill Games held in Brisbane.
AIS/Australian Gymnastic Men's coach Warwick Forbes was overjoyed with the performance of Rizzo saying it was a great achievement for Australian gymnastics.
"For Philippe to win Australia's first ever medal at a World Championship is the biggest thing to have happened in the sport in 20 years," Forbes said.
"A silver medal against the best gymnast in the world is not only testament to Philippe's outstanding talent but also his great ability to perform under enormous pressure".
"His performances this year have been phenomenal and demonstrate without doubt that he is amongst the world's best gymnasts".
The Director of the AIS, Michael Scott said Rizzo's great performances this year were a reflection of the Institute's gymnastic program, which has developed a strong tradition of striving for excellence.
*The AIS is a major program of the Australian Sports Commission.
