USA Supplier for : SAKAKI, AMAYA, CLASSIC, DESIGN, BLEYER

SASAKI:  The Name "Sasaki" is known worldwide for unsurpassed quality.  The best of the best in meeting stringent "elite level" demands and requirements, Sasaki products are used by Olympians and World-level competitors as well as beginner and intermediate level gymnasts.

AMAYA:  products are sold worldwide offering variety in color and versatile styling to cover all levels of competition.  This line is appealing to gymnasts seeking competitive apparatus in the moderate price range.

CLASSIC: products offer quality standard apparatus for recreational and competitive users at prices that fit most budgets.

DESIGN:  products offer qualities such as more durability than many standard products or combination coloring.

BLEYER:  shoes offer quality fit and styling and are used by gymnasts for all competitive levels. 
 

In 1969, the President of the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF), Frank Bare, requested Mildred Prchal of Illinois to learn more about the new sport called Modern Rhythmic Gymnastics, that was developing throughout Europe, in order to begin organizing it in the United States.  Mrs. Prchal made plans to attend the 1969 World Championships and asked Nora Campbell of Illinois if she would be interested to accompany her.

In the early 1970's, Mrs. Prchal started recruiting persons with a background in rhythmic exercise and organized a camp at Sokol Barryville, NY with the purpose of teaching Rhythmic Gymnastics, the sport, to professionals in the United States.  One of the clinicians at this camp was Maria Bakos, former national Rhythmic Gymnastics coach of Hungary.  Among the persons attending were Norma Zabka of NY and Nora Campbell.  

After this camp, several attendees started Rhythmic classes at their schools.  In the Eastern United States, Maria Bakos started the first classes in competitive Rhythmic Gymnastics at the American Sokol Organization in Little Ferry, New Jersey in 1971 and Norma Zabka began classes at Hunter College in New York City.

One of the attendees at the Little Ferry classes was Ellen Garlicki, an artistic gymnast from the American Sokol Organization.  Ms. Garlicki was captivated by the sport, became a competitior at the first Regional and National competitions, and continued a competitive career through the late 1970's when she became a member of the First USA Group Team and participated at the 1979 World Championships.  During her competitive career, sources for apparatus were scarce.  At the 1976 Nationals, Ellen's wooden hoop did not meet the standard apparatus regulations and her ribbon was found to be too short.  After competing with another competitor's spare ribbon, which was one meter too long, and having to adjust the hoop on the morning of competition to meet regulations, Ellen realized that apparatus sources were inadequate, and as a result, she decided to work at improving the situation.  By 1979 she established an apparatus supply company called Rhythmic Gymnastics Ltd., later incorporated, and Rhythmic Gymnastics Inc. continues serving the needs of rhythmic competitors today.

Copyright © 2001 Rhythmic Gymnastics INC