Gemma Lightbourne is set to become the first Bermuda gymnast to compete in the rhythemic competition at the presitigious USAIGC National/International Championships in Florida.Lightbourne recently returned to the Island having lived for several years in Scotland, where she was part of the country’s national rhythmic gymnastics team.Since Bermuda doesn’t have a rhythmic training facility with the ceiling too low at the Southside training for Lightbourne’s equipment throws she has done much of her training at Whitney Institute’s gymnasium.The 15-year-old will also be competing on balance beam at the Championships in the artistic gymnastics round, an event she had never competed in prior to joining Bermuda’s national team.Rhythmic gymnasts compete with the ribbon, ball, hoop, clubs, and rope while the artistic gymnasts compete on vault, bars, beam, and floorBermuda assistant coach Mandi Baughman said Lightbourne was “an amazing athlete who is just stunning to watch.”She added: “Gemma is also competing on balance beam at the Championships in the artistic gymnastics round.“She had never walked on a balance beam before joing the Bermuda squad and now is competing a routine with walkovers and flips.“She also coaches for us part-time to help offset her training fees and gain experience. We’re very proud of what she’s done.”Bermuda are sending their largest ever team to compete at the USAIGC National and International Championships this weekend.The Island has been sending gymnasts to the prestigious Championships for the past ten years, with a team of 30 to this year’s event.In order to be eligible, the gymnasts had to earn a minimum qualifying score in at least one of three USAIGC sanctioned meets earlier this season.The week long competition consists of five different levels of artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, which Bermuda will compete in for the first time this year.Teams from across the United States, as well as Canada and South Africa will compete at the event.Bermuda’ gymnastics teamMorgan Beckles BHS, Tabytha Hofheins Warwick Academy, Sydney Mason BHS, Zantae Dill Saltus, Danielle Wall BHS, Clara James BHS—— Sadia Wilson BHS, Anna Francoeur Warwick Academy, Gemma Lightbourne Saltus, Tomei Talbot Whitney, Trinity Wilson Warwick Academy, Anah Lightbourne Harrington Sound, Kanzi Emery Francis Patton, Maya Malpas Saltus, Chantae Wilson Warwick Academy, Sasha Crumley St. Georges Prep, Jezhari Talbot Paget Primary, Yve Smith West Pembroke, Emily Gentile BHS, T’aja Williams East End Primary, Brianna Ray Saltus, Daria Symonds BHS, Attiyah Morris Saltus, Sanaa Burgess Harrington Sound, Kinae Dowling T.N. Tatum, Gianna Webbe Warwick Academy, Jasmine Simons Somerset Primary, Tais Burgess-Allen Clearwater, Logan Watson-Brown Warwick Academy