Two local youth recently participated in the Bristol International Acro Cup (BIAC) in Bristol, England.

BIAC is an international acrobatics competition that hosts teams from all over the world.

Mo Arthur and Ariana Katsov, both members of Mid-America Acro and Tumbling Team (MAATT) and under the direction and coaching of long-time Owensville native Mindi Katsov, were selected to attend this international competition after making the United States National Acrobatics Team  (USNAT) in July of last year.

Arthur and Katsov traveled to London, England four days before they were to meet with the US delegation.

This gave them some time for sightseeing as well as to train with their choreographer before the competition began.

Action began in the two-day competition with the pair performing their balance routine. At the end of day one of competition, the pair found themselves in fifth place separated from first place by mere tenths of a point.

Day two of competition brought them to the forefront as a high-scoring dynamic routine blasted them into first place.

They would have to have a solid combined routine in the finals to maintain their placement. Jet lag and nerves had nothing on these two, who performed a delightful combined routine scoring high enough to finish out the meet with the gold!

Arthur and Katsov did not have time to rest. Immediately upon returning to the states, the pair began working toward their next conquest.

This would be placement on the U.S. World Team which will be selected at the World Team Trials March 29-30 in Indianapolis, Ind.

If selected, the two would compete in May in Geneva, Switzerland at the World Acrobatic Championships.

Due to concerns with the coronavirus, the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Team Trials have been canceled.

Editor’s Note: Information for this story was submitted by a friend of MAATT Coach Mindi Katsov.