Attleboro Gymnasts Break World Record

Setting or breaking a record can be both amazing and inspiring according to participants at theon Saturday, Sept. 17, National Gymnastics Day.

On this day Attleboro YMCA gymnasts joined gymnastic clubs across the country in obliteraiting the former world handstand record of 2,402 similtaneous handstands by perfoming the astonishing number of 20,478 handstands.

At exactly 1 p.m. gymnasts, their families, friends and members of the Y community enthusiastically kicked up their feet in a show of strength and support for the sport of gymnastics and to raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Amanda Cyr, director of the Y's High Impact Gymnastics Academy has been involved in the sport since she was five. She was pleased with the amount of money donated to the Children's Miracle Network and is happy to take further donations for the event.

“We’re so excited to be celebrating the sport of gymnastics with this event," Cyr said.

Twenty-four participants joined the effort and will be awarded with celebratory T-shirts reading, "September 17, 2011, NGD (National Gymnastics Day), I helped set the world's record for the most handstands at one time!"

Natalie Ritz, 12, of Norton claimed to be the one who held the longest handstand of “5ish seconds.”

“It was fun to see the parents doing handstands! It was amazingly awesome. I can look back and say I was part of setting a world record and it was definitely more fun than staying home and watching TV!” Ritz said.

Kylie Abouzeid,13, also from Norton agreed saying, “It was terrific!”

Zachary Fogg, 3, of Attleboro couldn’t contain his enthusiasm as he prepared himself. He and his sister Faith, 7, performed handstand after handstand so that their 1 p.m. handstand would be in a "perfect 10."

Cyr keeps herself up to date on the National Gymnastics websites so she can pass information on to her students for example when competitive gymnastic events are being televised so they can watch them. She also keeps her eyes open for events like this one that they can participate in.

The gymnastic program at the Y was first established in 2005 has continued to grow at a significant rate. "There are about 200 gymnasts in our program. We start with 2 year-olds and continue in through the teen years. We have a competitive team of teens who compete in the “Girls Get Your Feet Wet League,” Cyr said.

“Gymnastics helps children with their physical fitness, but it also builds self-esteem as they accomplish new skills and progress through the program," she added. "At the Y, we focus on teamwork and the core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. It’s a great sport."