The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Gymnastics Championships was recently held in Glasgow, Scotland. Only the best of the best from around the globe participated, as this was a qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games. The Bahamas was represented at this prestigious meet for the first time in the field of women's artistic gymnastics.

The Bahamian team was comprised of gymnasts Kianna Dean and Simone Hall. The meet ran from October 23rd to November 1st with over 1,000 participants from 87 countries represented. Prior to the worlds, both Dean and Hall, along with fellow Bahamian gymnast Toneka Johnson, made history by competing at the 2014 Senior Pan Am Championships in Canada. Subsequently, Dean had the honor of competing for The Bahamas in the recently held Pan Am Games. Hall was sidelined with an injury, and didn't compete. Dean's participation in the Pan An Games was another milestone accomplishment for The Bahamas.

National Team Coach Trevor Ramsey accompanied the group to the worlds as the head of delegation. Coach Ramsey was proud of the gymnasts' accomplishments, stating: "Kianna and Simone have represented The Bahamas well, and we should all be very proud of their trailblazing accomplishments. These Bahamian athletes have put the sport of gymnastics on the international scene for us, and we are now more than ever determined to continue the difficult task of preparing other up and coming Bahamian athletes to follow in their footsteps."

At the close of the competition, Dean and Hall were relieved and proud at the same time. Dean, who competed on all four events (vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise) commented: "This experience is one I can truly never forget. I am so proud of Simone and myself as well as the Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas for making all of this possible. The amount of hard work and dedication this took is unimaginable, but we've pulled through and together have achieved something amazing and worthwhile.

"Being a part of the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, making history for and representing my country, has been such an honor for me. I am so thankful and am looking forward to what the future has in store for me."

While receiving an all-around score of 36.198, Dean achieved a personal best on vault, with a score of 12.700. Dean then went on to achieve personal bests in two other events - the balance beam and the floor exercise.

After getting her initial 10 years of training in New Providence, Dean went abroad to further her skills in January 2015, and worked with Coach Kathy Semok at Park Avenue Gymnastics in Cooper City, Florida. Her coach was thrilled with Dean's performance at the worlds, adding: "I could not be more proud of both Kianna and Simone and their performances to lead the way for The Bahamas on the international scene. After incurring a minor shoulder injury in training on Wednesday (October 21st), Kianna was able to stay focused and never gave up. She was still able to compete in all four events and achieved her highest all-around score. I can only imagine what she could have done without the injury, but you train a lifetime for a moment like this, and she made the most of it.

"The people of Glasgow and the international gymnastics community were so friendly and so welcoming. They made us feel like, although this was our first appearance, we belonged. The other coaches and athletes encouraged us, cheered for us and were truly happy for us to be a part of such a large event - the largest international gymnastics event on earth. This was an amazing experience, and I am so proud to have been a part of it. I look forward to seeing future generations of Bahamian gymnasts continue to follow in the footsteps of Kianna and Simone."

Hall's achievements were equally impressive. She too had a personal best on the vault, with a score of 13.300. Hall commented: "Competing at the world gymnastics championships was such a privilege. I cannot stop thanking God for allowing me to make it this far. The meet was of a much higher caliber than what we normally participate in, but that did not stop me from going out there and giving it my all.

"I am extremely happy to say that I competed on the world stage with all of the best gymnasts from around the world, including Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas and three-time World Champion Simone Biles. As always, I would love to thank everyone who contributed to my achievements at this meet, including the Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas, my country, family and friends, including Mr. Lawrence Carol and special thanks to all of my coaches, Trevor Ramsey and second family Ann and Valdi Kolasa, for making me the gymnast I am today. I am and will always be forever grateful for all of you."

Hall's coach, American Ann (Kist) Kolasa, worked for the local club Nassau 'Nastics for three years, from 1994 to 1997. At that time, she fell in love with The Bahamas and continues to support the gymnastics program there. Coach Kolasa has been working with Hall in her New Jersey gym for nine months.

Coach Kolasa felt that both gymnasts did an outstanding job in representing The Bahamas.

"It was really such a pleasure to be part of this ground-breaking moment for Bahamian gymnastics. It was apparent to me as a young coach that there was world-class talent in The Bahamas. More than 20 years later, it is no surprise that this talent still remains. Simone and Kianna took on this competition like true professionals. They carried themselves with confidence and strong character.

"As Simone's personal coach, I remain proud of the fantastic strides she took to get herself to this competition. Despite an injury early in the summer, Simone pushed through; not only competing in the world gymnastics championships, but adding several substantial upgrades in her routines' level of difficulty. Simone's last competition was in April and her injury was in June. For her to upgrade on all three of the events she competed in was really quite remarkable. This speaks to the desire Simone had to represent her country to the absolute best of her ability."

Dean and Hall have made significant inroads, solidifying The Bahamas' presence on the international gymnastics scene. They have also helped to advance the Bahamian gymnastics program on a local level. There is no doubt, that our other aspiring gymnasts currently in training, will now set the bar higher and strive to excel even more.

The Gymnastics Federation of The Bahamas has to commend these two trailblazers for their hard work and dedication. Federation president Barbara Thompson stated, "We are grateful to Kianna Dean and Simone Hall for their outstanding achievements while representing The Bahamas with honor and dignity at these prestigious meets. Thanks to them, the standards are set, the bar is raised, and new challenges will be met."

The 46th FIG World Gymnastics Championships wrapped up on Sunday in Glasgow, Scotland. The delegation returned to New Providence on Monday night. They said that the entire experience was uplifting and helpful to the local program.

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