Renata Janse van Rensburg lifted the national rhythmic
trophy at the University of Pretoria on Sunday.
Figuratively speaking, that is - the silver cup is so big it reached up to the tiny Central Gauteng gymnast's knee.
With South Africa's two top rhythmic gymnasts, Jo-Ann Neilson and Michelle Cameron, both retiring last year, Janse van Rensburg, Belinda Potgieter, Cecilia Human and Shalene Arnold were all strong contenders to take the title.
But in her bright and glittering red outfit Janse van Rensburg stood out, not only because of her costume, but also for her neat performances, especially in the hoop and ball where she finished first.
She struggled somewhat with the rope and clubs, but her overall mark of 87.750 placed her 1.450 points ahead of Potgieter with Human third and Arnold fourth.
The women artistic apparatus final belonged to Hungary's Ezster Ovary who won two gold medals and one bronze, but because she is still awaiting South African citizenship her results were not official.
On the beam the blond foreign gymnasts outscored national all-round champion Kerry Joyce, but both were awarded gold medals. Ovary was also first on the vault.
On the floor Cape Town's Tamaryn Schultz tumbled to tribal music to win the event, with Dominique D'Oliveira second and Ovary third.
The bars were the only all South African event with Kerry Joyce first, Tracey Rayepen second and D'Oliveira third.
In the men's competition the all-round champion Rhyn Crofts-Jones bagged medals in all six events, winning on the parallel bars.
Dewald Labuscher won the most gold medals, winning on the floor, rings and high bar.