The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A14-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, June 6, 2006 SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR: STEVE LeBLANC e-mail sleblanc@haîtonsearch.com D)uo tumble way to national gold lu top spot inL f debut at Canadian championship 13y Steve LeBLANC CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF T aking a tumble in sports isn't always a bad tbing. In fact for two local teens, doing so recently resulted in matching national gold medals. Deterrnined to enjuy success[ul debuts at the Canadian power turnbling charnpionshîps at Quebec's Laval University, i 6-year-old Teja Durante and l3-year-old Meghan Hefford each took top honours in their respective novice age groups. The Mississauga Tearn Futures teammates both upstaged 16 competi- tors to reigo suprerne in the gymnasties event thats best descnibed as a fluor routine without the dance elemeni. Durante and Hefford bad been involved in artistic gymnastics for years, but a series of injuries made thern. decide to switch over to power tumbling. Good move for duo Needless to say, the mnove bas already paid huge dividends. That's especially true for Durante, who along witb ber golden perform- ance in Quebec was first at Februarys Canada Cup in Vancouver to earn a berth to next montb's lndo-Pacific Power Tumbling and Trampoline Cbampionships in Soutb Africa. Rer recent success makes up for an awful lot of lost time, as severe back problems kept ber sidelined for two entire competitive seasons. "Having been off for so long, it's been really rewarding to corne back and be able to see a strong outcome from my bard work," said Durante, who esee LOCAL on page Al17 GOLDEN GIRLS: Tepa Durante (left> and Meghan Hefford proudly display their national gold medals in power tumbling, Secured recently in Quebec, JuIIIIIi itsu success continues for Giles Local teenfinishesfirst and second ait international meet GiThe champîonship bardware keeps coming for Michael Gies. O0ne of tbe more promising students ai tbe Milton School 0f Jiu-Jitsu, the I 5-year-old Miltonian recenîly took first and second-place honours at tbe World Kobudo Federation's International Competition in Hull, Quebec. Building on provincial and national sweeps earlier tbis year, the local blue beli was tops in bis sport jiu-jitsu divi- sion and secured the runner-up spot in grappling - losing 10 a Niagara Falls combatant. "It was an incredible experience," said Giles, who beat Michael Giles ail of bis sport jiu-jitsu challenges in the minimum two rounds - thanks in large part to sorne effective footwork. Milton Scbool of Jiu-Jitsu chief instructor Bob Kranstz said tbe young student isn't arnong tbose blessed witb a ton of natural talent, but more tban inakes up for it witb sheer determination. "He iso't the rnost gifted competiior, but hes an awfully bard worker," stressed Kranstz. Wiîh somne international experience - and success - now under bis proverbial belt, Giles hopes t0 attain bis blackbelî in trne for tbe next such event, set for 2008 in France. "I'd say it's an attainable goal for Michael," Kranstz suggested. @>âfl * Lube 011 $ 2 0Filter Change Callaway, Greg Norman, Nika & Ahot 1 FREE Bottie of wifldshieId Washer Flujd + O IS~ 0 O F +other flud top ups 50%pucue Olf Si Factory Parts! - Discount Prices! WuoMauie ewC *+ Dn.esrj + taxe -Ses deaier fer detail liet cedam I Golf Bails Wld8& g mmLef a Full Line :e : : ~1/2 PRICE 5O¶ 5OFF 5to5n