PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Plettenberg Bay community is helping its gymnastics star Leolin Petersen to quite literally have a taste of sweet success.
Petersen recently qualified for the biggest gymnastics gathering in the country, the South African Gym Games 2024. This event is scheduled to take place between 19 and 29 September at the Western Cape Sports School and Wynberg Sports Complex.
As with many events like these, athletes have to pay their own way in terms of travel and other expenses. To help her, Leolin's mother Helen Bezuidenhout has jumped in and started baking up a storm to give her daughter the opportunity to participate.
Raising funds
Bezuidenhout is known in her community for her culinary prowess, especially her Hertzoggies - a sweet jam-filled treat. Bezuidenhout bakes and sells these delectable bites to raise funds for her daughter.
Leolin is one of 26 gymnasts from Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline who have qualified for this event.
The Plettenberg Bay Primary School alumnus, who now lives in Gqeberha to be closer to her coaches, will be representing the Eastern Cape at the event which will see the country's top gymnasts compete.
Shone on global stage
Leolin thanked her coaches for their tireless efforts to ensure that she is at her best.
This after she recently shone on the international stage, not only securing personal accomplishments, but also contributing to the South African team in bringing home gold at the Coimbra Trampoline World Cup in Portugal last month.
Leolin represented South Africa in both the team and individual categories. Her team managed to secure a gold medal in the double mini-trampoline competition, and a silver medal in tumbling.
Silver medal
In the individual category, Leolin managed to walk away with a silver medal in the double-mini. Her teammate and former world champion Bianca Zoonekynd secured the gold medal.
This is just one of a long list of achievements by the young gymnast, who now attends Framesby High School.
Her most recent achievements include being crowned as the senior female trampolinist of the year at Gymnastics South Africa's annual award ceremony.
It was held at the Matsport Centre in Centurion, Gauteng on 23 March, and is an annual event to celebrate gymnasts who have excelled in their disciplines during the previous year.
Orders for Hertzoggies
This was preceded by her winning triple gold at the Trampoline Gymnastics SA Cup 2024 at the Fairview Sport Centre in Gqeberha earlier this year.
Last year she also made the South African team for the Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Championship in the UK, one of the most prestigious events in gymnastics. It was held in Birmingham in November and Leolin not only competed in the junior category, but was also part of the senior South African team.
To help Leolin participate at the SA Gym Games this year, orders for Hertzoggies can be placed via WhatsApp on 064 815 5380. Orders will be ready from Friday.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
