Grace Legote

Grace Matsetsa Legote (born 2 May 1992 in Delareyville, North West province, South Africa) is a South African rhythmic gymnast.

Grace Legote
Full nameGrace Matsetsa Legote
Country represented South Africa
Born (1992-05-02) 2 May 1992
Delareyville, North West province, South Africa
ResidencePretoria, South Africa
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight45 kg (99 lb)
DisciplineRhythmic gymnastics
College teamCenturion Academy
Assistant coach(es)Tatiana Lavrentchouk-Vizer
Medal record
Rhythmic gymnastics
Representing  South Africa
African Gymnastics Championships
Gold medal – first place2014 Tshwane All-around
Gold medal – first place2014 Tshwane Ball
Gold medal – first place2014 Tshwane Clubs
Gold medal – first place2014 Tshwane Ribbon
Gold medal – first place2014 Tshwane Team
Silver medal – second place2014 Tshwane Hoop

Personal life

Legote speaks Afrikaans, English, Russian and Zulu. She studied sports management at Centurion Academy in South Africa.[1]

Gymnastics career

Legote started training in rhythmic gymnastics at age 11, after her coach, Tatiana Lavrentchouk-Vizer, spotted her at a summer camp.[1] She began representing South Africa internationally in 2009.[2]

2009-2012

Legote competed at the 2009 Mie World Championships finishing 117th in the all-around qualifications.[1] She competed at the 2010 Moscow World Championships finishing 107th in the all-around qualifications. She competed at the 2011 Montpellier World Championships finishing 100th in the all-around qualifications. Legote did not compete at the 2012 London Olympics. She was named Klerksdorp Sportswoman of the Year in 2011 and 2012.[1]

2013-2016

Legote competed at the 2013 Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia. At the 2013 Kyiv World Championships, she placed 55th in the all-around qualifications[1] and was the highest ranked gymnast from Africa.[2]

In March 2014, Legote competed at the African Championships in rhythmic gymnastics where she won the all-around title. In the event finals, she won 3 gold medals (ball, clubs, ribbon) and a silver in hoop.[3] At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, she was a member of the South African team and finished tenth in the individual all-around finals. Legote competed at the 2014 Izmir World Championships placing 62nd in all-around qualifications.

In 2015, Legote began the season competing at the 2015 Moscow Grand Prix finishing 31st in the all-around. At the 2015 World Cup Final in Kazan, Legote finished 40th in the all-around. On September 9–13, Legote competed at the 2015 World Championships in Stuttgart finishing 64th in the All-around qualifications and did not advance into the Top 24 finals.[4]

In 2016, Legote started her season competing at the 2016 Grand Prix Moscow finishing 33rd in the all-around.[5] On July 8–10, Legote then finished 27th in the all-around at the 2016 Kazan World Cup.

She did not compete at the 2016 Olympics, despite being the top qualifier from Africa at the 2015 World Championships. Instead, the wild card berth was given to Cape Verde gymnast Elyane Boal. Legote's coach, Tatiana Lavrentchouk-Vizer, stated that "It has taken 13 years to develop and cultivate Grace into Africa's top rhythmic gymnast...this news has taken us by a surprise and is indeed very sad."[6]

In September 2016, Legote competed at the African Championships, winning four gold medals and one silver.[7]

2017-

Legote had her highest-ever world championships placement at the 2017 Pesaro World Championships, finishing 54th in the all-around qualifications and 26th in ribbon qualifications.[1] At The World Games 2017 in Wroclaw, Legote's highest finished was 20th with ball.[1]

In 2018, Legote competed at the 2018 Moscow Grand Prix finishing 26th in the all-around. She also competed at the African Championships, finishing fourth in the all-around and winning a gold in clubs, silver in hoop, and bronzes in ball and ribbon.[1]

References
  1. "LEGOTE Grace". gymnastics.sport. International Gymnastics Federation. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  2. "Mzansi's 100: Trailblazer, Grace Legote". The Young Independents. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  3. "Legote is Africa's Rhythmic gymnast champ". gsport.co.za.
  4. "2015 World Championships All-around results". Intlgymnast. 11 September 2015.
  5. "Rhythmic Gymnastics Grand Prix starts into Olympic Season". Gymmedia. 21 February 2016..
  6. "Africa's top Rhythmic Gymnast, Grace Legote, will not feature at Rio Olympic Games | South African Gymnastics Federation". Retrieved 27 April 2019.
  7. Namibian, The. "Egypt dominate Rhythmic Gymnastics African Champs". The Namibian. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
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