Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay is now home to two national gymnastics champions following the championships in Pretoria last week.

Carmen Swiegers (16) and Leolin Petersen (11), who competed in a series of events, are back on home soil with medals to spare.

Leolin secured a gold medal in the Euro trampoline and the double mini trampoline disciplines, and to top the success off, the youngster was also selected to represent South Africa in the international Region 5 competition to be hosted in Namibia in December this year.

Carmen came home with three medals in her age division: gold for the Euro trampoline, silver for the double mini trampoline and bronze in the tumbling discipline.

“She really did herself proud – and her hometown too,” said Carmen’s proud mother Coba Swiegers.

Leolin’s mother Helen Bezuidenhout was also ecstatic. “It shows you that hard work and dedication pays off,” she said.

While Leolin is already preparing for the December competition, Carmen said she would be embarking on a “cool down” season.

“We’ve decided not to enter the trials for the Region 5 competition as she participated last year,” Swiegers said.

Carmen Swiegers managed to secure three medals during national championships in Pretoria last week.

Carmen competed in the Region 5 competition held in Zimbabwe in December 2016, where she achieved a silver medal for Euro trampoline and a bronze for double mini trampoline.

For both athletes, obtaining success in the sport has been a challenging journey involving many sacrifices, including travelling to train in George where the nearest gym is located.

Read a previous article: Plett gymnasts bring home gold

ARTICLE: YOLANDÉ STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT

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