Despite a sprained wrist, Peak Gymnastics’ Nashwan al-Harazi place in the Top 20 in all events recently at the Canada Nationals.

Peak Gymnastics is coming off its most successful competition season in history and al-Harazi is a key.

Al-Harazi, a citizen of Yemen who is working in Enumclaw as a credentialed international coach, is a two-time World Championships competitor, 2006 and 2007, and three-time World qualifier. He was Yemen’s first, and to date only, gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games, where he placed 16th in the vault in Beijing, China, in 2008.

At Peak Gymnastics he is currently working with the develelopmental girls program, recreational gymnasts and is the head coach of the boys competitive program.

“I love it here in America, and I am so proud and excited to be a part of the Peak Gymnastics family,” he said. “Mark and Rhonda Bonthius have made me feel so welcome and I will work very hard to make the dreams of the girls and boys in Enumclaw and the surrounding area come true.”

“He did a great job under difficult circumstances,” said Jim Holt, al-Harazi’s coach and co-team coach at Peak. “The Canadians love the guy. He’s so positive and such a positive role model for gymnasts throughout the world. I was both pleased and frankly, astonished, that Nashwan and Peak Gymnastics have already been extended an invitation to participate in the 2011 Canadian Championships on Prince Edward Island.”

Al-Harazi’s next scheduled competition is the 42nd World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in October.

Peak Gymnastics’ final performance of the 2010 season is the Class Day/Victory Games celebration, June 20. The event is open to the public; contact the gym for times and details.