PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Gymnastics ace Leolin Petersen left home turf this week to represent South Africa at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Bulgaria.

Here she will be competing in various disciplines against some of the best junior gymnasts in the world from 23 to 26 November. 

The 16-year-old Plettenberg Bay Primary School alumnus, who is currently attending Framesby High School in Gqeberha to be closer to gymnastics coaches, raked in three medals at the Gymnastics South Africa National Championships in Gauteng in October this year. 

She won gold in tumbling and Euro trampoline, as well as a silver medal for double-mini.

The dedicated youngster says that she is very excited to be representing her country on a world stage and is ready to give it all she has. Over and above extensive training, Leolin's journey to Bulgaria was a difficult one, especially financially, as athletes had to cover their own costs to get there.

Almost R40 000 was needed for a deposit to secure her spot and almost R13 000 was needed to cover the rest.

As finances were tight her mother, Helen Bezuidenhout, launched a massive fundraising initiative, baking hundreds of sweet treats and selling it to locals. 

The Plett community jumped in to support the effort, buying the treats and donating enough to cover the costs. CemAir also came on board and sponsored Leolin's flights to Gauteng for the recent competition.

Petersen is currently being trained by renowned gymnastics coaches Mandy Zoonekynd and Lee Budler of Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline. 

Bezuidenhout said her daughter has been dreaming of becoming a world-class gymnast from the age of three and her ultimate goal is to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.

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