Power, agility and grace

Next month’s “We Can Fly” concert is much more than a celebration of music. For the first time ever, Thailand’s national gymnastics team will be joining established artists Jetrin “J” Wattanasin, Katreeya English and Sudarat “Tukky” Butrprom on stage in a show that will showcase their physical strength, flexibility and balance and have the audience gasping in surprise at their skills.

“The Gymnastics Association of Thailand really doesn’t get much attention from the public and we felt the time had come to show the people what our athletes can do,” says association chairman Jiradej Worapienkul. 

“In addition to shows by J and Tukky, we’ll also have music from a symphonic band and we’re sure that their performances will serve to strengthen our gymnastics,” adds Lieutenant Commander Sarayuth Patthanasak, the association’s secretary.

“Watching a small girl go through her gymnastic moves remind me of my childhood,” says Katreeya. “I worked with an Australian coach from the age of three but had to give up gymnastics because we were always moving from country to county. Perhaps if I had persisted, I could have made it to the national team but when we finally settled in Thailand, it was hard to find any gymnastic courses. What a pity! It’s a wonderful discipline and I think the audience at this concert will have a wonderful time.

“The charm of gymnastics lies in the strength, beauty of the movements and the flexibility. The only thing I can do right now is a somersault but I love to learn how to do a backflip again,” she says.

“As a kid I watched gymnast Thirat Popanich perform the splits and somersault and for ages afterwards I wanted to fly. But my physique was all wrong and anyway, I don’t think anyone in Udon Thani was teaching gymnastics,” Tukky adds. 

“My interest was revived during the 2013 season of ‘Thailand’s Got Talent’ when I had the chance to be associated with Thai Gym featuring Nong Mo [Tharatip Sridee] and other young athletes.”

The more than 100 athletes taking part in the concert include former Thai national team members Thirat, Amornthep Waewsang and Sarochinee Sawekchim, Tharatip and a group of new gymnasts. Some will be moving on stage in line with the shows of each of three artists.

“We have also learned how to dance,” says Tharatip, who is often referred to as the “Gymnast Queen”. “This will be the first time we perform to vocal pop and dance songs and with other artists.”

Tharatip is hoping that the show will popularise gymnastics in Thailand.

“It’s a shame it isn’t well known. It’s a vital sport as gymnastics is the basis of other disciplines like ballet, yoga and even taekwondo,” she says.

The concert will also feature a performance by the Horwang School band, who last year won first prize in a music contest organised by Government Savings Bank in 2013 and were awarded a gold medal at the Singapore International Band Festival in July.

 

Flying high

_ “We Can Fly: Gymnastics in Concert” is at 4pm on November 16 at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.

_ Tickets cost Bt1,000 to Bt2,500. For details, check www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.