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Rhythmic gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnastics is an Olympic sport that combines the beauty of ballet, dance and gymnastics in choreographed routines with apparatuses such as ribbon, ball, rope, clubs and hoop. The sport made an immediate impact after it was introduced to Miami by Miami Gymnastics & Dance Academy in 2008.

A critical part of MGDA’s success in Rhythmic Gymnastics is reflected in the recruiting of elite coaches from throughout the world including Daria Trakhtenberg who is the current head coach of the MGDA rhythmic team, based in North Miami.

Trakhtenberg is a world renowned rhythmic gymnastics coach. She has coached Israeli national champions -- groups and individuals. Many of the athletes she coached represented their countries at World Cups and European Championships. She is also a certified international judge in rhythmic gymnastics.

In the past several years, Trakhtenberg has played a leading role in the development of MGDA’s rhythmic team. Since 2010, she has led the team to many victories in national and international meets. Her achievements and the progression of her athletes have been remarkable.

MGDA has earned a distinguished reputation in developing young top level gymnasts. Since 2010, when coach Trakhtenberg joined Miami Gymnastics, the girls won medals at the most popular tournaments: Suncoast Sport Festival, International Star Cup, Gold Coast International Cup and many others.

Trakhtenberg`s gymnasts participated in the Spring Fling International Tournament in Ohio – the biggest event in USA Rhythmic Gymnastics history. The participants were from throughout the world, and Miami Gymnastics girls medaled.

“We are extremely pleased to have Daria as our head coach,” said Natalia Pyrig, owner of Miami Gymnastics & Dance Academy. “Her ability to create elite gymnasts, the many tournaments she has won and her dedication to coaching can be attributed to Miami Gymnastics continuing success.”

Gymnasts, coached by Trakhtenberg, also became Florida state champions and Region 6 champions:

Elli Hong – Florida Level 3 (Ball Routine) silver medalist, All Around Region 6 silver medalist. Valentina Guerrero – Florida All Around Level 4 silver medalist and Region 6 All Around silver medalist, winner of special regional award, scholarship to Junior Olympics Open Championship. Nerea Francis – Florida Level 6 All Around champion and Region 6 All Around gold medalist. Valentina Sola – Florida Level 6 All Around silver medalist and Region 6 silver medalist (floor and hoop routines). Sophia Petreanu – Region 6 All Around Level 6 silver medalist, winner of special regional award, scholarship to Junior Olympics Open Championship. Halyna Hnatkiv – Florida Level 7 Absolute All Around champion.

Claudia Mandado – gymnast of the highest international FIG Level 9, twice Florida gold medalist (hoop and ball routines), twice bronze medalist (ribbon and clubs routines), Florida All Around silver medalist, twice Region 6 silver medalist (ribbon and clubs routines), twice Region bronze medalist (hoop and ball routines); Region 6 All Around bronze medalist.

Hammocks basketball

The Hammocks Middle School girls’ basketball team went 6-0 to win the Zone 6 Championship for the first time in school history.