RYDE SPORTS FOUNDATION held its latest Sports Stars presentation at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club on February 16. Young Marsfield judoka, Diana Platonov; Rhythmic gymnast Sienna Kim and Badminton-playing Rishi Mayur are the fourth, fifth and sixth 2023-24 Ryde Sports Foundation Sports Star of the Year monthly winners.
DIANA PLATONOV – JUDO
Thirteen-year-old Cheltenham Girls’ High School student Diana Platonov is a member of the successful Budokan Judo Club Australia and was nominated for this award by its head coach, Kerrye Katz
Diana is a two-time silver medalist at the Australia National Championships (in 2023 and 2021) and a bronze medalist in 2022.
She is presently preparing for 2024 Australia National Championships.
Diana is the sister of Nicholas Platonov, the recipient of the RSF’s inaugural Rising Star Award at the 2022-23 Sports Star of the Year Gala Dinner.
SIENNA KIM – RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Sienna is a junior international gymnast and a very dedicated young athlete.
Sienna is a member of Synergy Gymnastics Academy, a small rhythmic gymnastics club, based at North Ryde RSL Youth Centre which has around 55 members ranging from grassroots (4yrs) to elite level.
Synergy Gymnastics Academy was renamed in 2017 and was previously known as Chatswood North Ryde Rhythmic Gymnastics teaching rhythmic gymnastics for more than 15 years.
This year has been extremely busy for Synergy’s rhythmic gymnasts with Rhythmic Gymnastics Australia hosting the NSW Senior State Championships at Shoalhaven and the Rhythmic Gymnastics National Championship also took place in Queensland.
Sienna worked extremely hard over this period, training more than 20 hours per week at her performing arts school, McDonald College; at Synergy Gymnastics Academy and as part of the National emerging squad.
At State Championship Sienna placed third with her energetic Ghostbusters clubs routine and qualified for the Australian National Championship.
At National Championship Sienna competed over four days with four separate routines using various apparatus, including the hoop, ball, club and ribbon and secured a spot in the finals.
It is an amazing achievement to have gymnasts in the finals. Sienna’s results reflect her continual hard work and dedication at training and towards the sport.
Sienna also performed at the most recent Junior Showcase at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts.
RISHI MAYUR – BADMINTON
Sixteen-year-old Rishi Mayur from Carlingford is a gifted student at North Sydney Boys High School and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a doctor.
He trains under the watchful eye of former Australian Olympian in the sport of Badminton, Anna Lao AM, at the Australian Badminton Academy at Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre.
The academy was established in 2002 and has more than 1,000 students.
Rishi is one of its high achievers with a stellar track record so far which includes: three times Bronze Medallist in 2022 in Under-15 category at the National Junior Championship in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles; three times Under-15 NSW singles State Champion; two times Under-15 Doubles State Champion; two times Under-15 Doubles Runner-up State Champion; and Under-17 NSW single State Champion; two times Under-17 Singles Runner-up State Champion; Under-17 NSW doubles State Champion; and two times times Under-17 Doubles Runner-up State Champion.
RSF chairman Rob Wilkinson thanked Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club for hosting the second presentation event of monthly winners for 2023-24.
”Of course, Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club is part of Club 6 – which also includes North Ryde RSL, Club Ryde, North Ryde Golf Club, Gladesville RSL and Gladesville Sporties,” he said.
“The generous ongoing financial support received from Club 6 helps Ryde Sports Foundation continue its work, recognising and celebrating local sporting talent.”
For more information on how to nominate a Sports Star, visit: staging.rydesportsfoundation.com.au/award-nomination/
(* By Anthony Stavrinos at The Weekly Times)
