Leolin has that Midas touch

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - It seems that Plett's gymnastics star Leolin Petersen has the Midas touch after adding another three gold medals to a string of victories over the past few months.

The 17-year-old Plettenberg Bay Primary School alumnus, who is currently in Gqeberha to be closer to her gymnastics coaches, participated at the Eastern Province trampoline and tumbling trials in Gqeberha and managed to secure three gold medals.

This was for tumbling, double mini and Euro trampoline in her age group. This also secured her a spot at the South African Gym Games in Pretoria during the upcoming school holidays.

This follows a series of successes over the past few months including her inclusion in the South African team, in her age group and in the senior team, at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Championships in Birmingham, UK in November.

She also recently won gold in not only double-mini trampoline, but also Euro trampoline at the final leg of the Madiba Cup held in Mossel Bay.

This after she won three gold medals for her performance in senior women's double mini trampoline, junior women's trampoline, and junior women's power tumbling during the second leg of the series in Cape Town.

These achievements bring her closer to reaching her dream of participating at the 2024 Olympic Games – a dream she has had from a young age. The world championship in England is a qualifying event for next year's Olympic Games and the 2025 World Games.

While she is doing what is needed on the competition floor, getting her to England is still a challenge as she requires significant funding to make it possible.

Her family has started a crowd funding initiative on www.backabuddy.co.za. For more information, you can contact her mother Helen Bezuidenhout on 064 815 5380.

Leolin Petersen in action at the Eastern Province trials in Gqeberha.