Johnston, whose previous best was 56th at the 2007 world championships in Greece, overtook Kristy Darrah (WA) who finished 43rd in 1997 finishing 38th in the all-around competition in Mie, Japan last night.

 

Johnston and fellow teammates Janine Murray (WA, 82nd) Chloe Hayes (WA, 91st), and Danielle Prince (QLD, 129th - two apparatus only), also finished 22nd in the team competition to make it Australia’s second best team result at a world championships behind the 18th position achieved in 1997.

 

The 1997 team was made up of Darrah, Leigh Marning, Johnston’s older sister Shaneez Johnston and coach Danielle LeRay.

 

Further adding to the promising results of the championships, Australia finished the competition ranked number one in the individual and team sections amongst the Commonwealth countries elevating them to favourites for next year’s Dehli Commonwealth Games.            

 

Johnston’s coach Danielle LeRay was pleased with the results and the promise for quality performances in the future.

 

“It is an excellent result for Australia, especially with such a young travelling team.  Aside from Naazmi, it was their first world championships and they all handled that pressure really well,” LeRay said.

 

“The performances were really consistent, with few errors.  Their preparation and training leading into the event was strong and they handled the different structure of the competition really well.

 

“We are going into the Commonwealth Games in one of the best positions we have ever been in.” 

 

Johnston, a quiet achiever, gained some valuable confidence from her performances.

 

“I am really pleased with my results, in particular my ribbon and hoop routines.  It’s a significant improvement on my previous world championships results in 2007 and shows that all the hard work has paid off,” the 20-year-old said.  

 

“The world championships is such a different competition - there are so many competitors and you only compete in one apparatus per day.  

 

“It gives me a lot of confidence that I am on the right track and that if I keep training hard there is a possibility that I will be able to take out the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.”

 

The next major competition for the team will be the Pacific Rim championships, to be hosted by Gymnastics Australia in Melbourne in April 2010.

 

 

 

For media enquires or to arrange interviews please contact Gymnastics Australia Media:

 

Taryn Kirby – (03) 9500 0122, 0433 665 055 or taryn@jumpmedia.com.au