Jamaican gets gymnastics skill in his name
Published:Sunday | June 4, 2023 | 12:38 AMOrane Buchanan - Staff Reporter
DESPITE JAMAICA’S disappointing performance at the recently concluded Pan American Championships in Colombia, the country still has reasons to smile.
Michael Reid has become the second Jamaican gymnast behind teammate Caleb Faulk to have their names etched in the gymnastics Code of Points. The Code of Points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics.
During his pommel horse performance, he performed what will now be known as ‘The Reid’.
Having his name in the Code of Points has been a satisfying experience for Reid, because he has spent a long time trying to perfect his craft, and, in fact, spent a year working on ‘The Reid’.
“I started practising the move from last year actually. They (International Gymnastics Federation, FIG) limit the skills you can do backwards, so I was looking for something that was difficult and would benefit my routine. So, I spent a year grinding away at it,” said Reid.
OVER THE MOON
Reid, who was over the moon when he got the news about the induction of his special routine into the Code of Points, explained what ‘The Reid’ looks like.
“I was excited, I mean, I always wanted a skill, so it’s really a big deal. Even more so to have another Jamaican skill in the Code of Points is another big deal, so I’m super excited and proud. The move is a blind hop backwards over both of the handles,” Reid explained.
Nicole Grant, president of the Jamaica Gymnastics Association, was proud to have another Jamaican skill in the Code of Points and was elated for Reid, someone she describes as “diligent”.
“Having a skill named after you is the greatest achievement in the sport of gymnastics and to have a Jamaican do it for the second time is an even greater achievement for the country. Michael is a humble young man, who is very diligent and has been working on this skill for some time. The skill has to be performed perfectly without falling or infringement at a sanctioned competition and he did that at the Pan Am Championships, Jamaica and the gymnastics community are super proud of him,” said Grant.
Grant added that with Reid’s achievement, generations to come will be reminded of what he did.
“It’s hard to get approved skills at the highest value, as the values set by the FIG are based on difficulty and danger. This is a safe but difficult skill and warrants such high value.”