Annual Harlem Gymnastics Invitational was a celebration of the sport
Over 800 athletes gathered at the Harlem Armory the last weekend of February for the ninth annual Harlem Gymnastics Invitational (HGI). Athletes ages seven to 18 from New York City and as far away as Florida and California came to compete in artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline & tumbling. This year marked the inaugural New York City Gymnastics Championship where residents of the five boroughs vied to become New York City Champions.
“For the New Yorkers, if they won their division then they were the New York City Champion,” said pioneering gymnast Wendy Hilliard, founder of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF). “I talked to the mayor’s office last fall to see if we could do that. … It was really big for those that live in the city and really exciting.”
This is the largest gymnastics competition in New York City, and in addition to gymnasts, coaches and family members, fans also came out to cheer. Champion athletes and WHGF students, including BJ Mensah, ZaQuae Carter and Aries Wickham, performed routines in the foundation’s signature Showtime in Harlem.
“New Yorkers appreciate having a meet right in New York City and people from other places want to come to Harlem,” Hilliard said. “The Armory is so beautiful—high ceilings, it’s very open—a lot of gymnastics meets are not held in that kind of facility. … There’s really yummy food; it’s a Healthy Harlem location, so we serve healthy soul food.”
Accommodating hundreds of athletes takes a lot of organization. Multiple disciplines take place simultaneously around the venue. The Armory was divided into zones with different people managing each zone.
Over 50 WHGF athletes competed. Hilliard said the HGI is a big deal because team members compete as well as young gymnasts working to be on a team. “They get to experience a gymnastics meet, and all their family and friends can come see them because it’s a free event,” said Hilliard. “Also, for our kids, I want them to see other athletes. It’s definitely more inspiring to see kids that are very close to your age doing great things. It shows them the possibilities that are out there.”
Lastly, there was the clean up. Around 20 members from Columbia University’s football team came to take down and move various equipment. “They were so helpful,” said Hilliard. “It was fun to have their support.”
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