PLETTENBERG BAY - Following on from our Springboks' World Cup success, a little girl from Plettenberg Bay was also "big in Japan" when she participated on the world gymnastics stage for the first time last weekend – and Leolin Petersen already has her sights set on the 2024 Olympic Games.
Over the past weekend, the 13-year-old represented South Africa at the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo, Japan where she took her first step onto the world stage and returned a leap closer to realising her dream of making it to the Olympics.
Leolin, who has already proven her mettle on home turf with many titles under her belt, was the only female in the SA team and participated in double mini in the 13-14 years age group.
There were 30 participants in this age group and Leolin kept the SA flag flying high by taking the 11th spot after a weekend of competition.
Overall 800 athletes from 40 countries took part.
"We have been in contact on the phone and she had an amazing time. She has grown so much and has become very independent. The travel bug has bitten hard and she is already making plans to realising her Olympic dream," her very proud mother Helen Bezuidenhout said.
Leolin is set to hit training hard on her return, Bezuidenhout said, and attempt to qualify for all the major competitions. The first one will be the African Championships in Namibia next year.
She is currently training at Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline in Port Elizabeth.
Her mother said Leolin's dream of participating at a world event like the one in Japan would never have been a reality if it was not for the support of the Plettenberg Bay community.
She needed to raise R45 000 to cover her costs for the competition. "I would, from the bottom of my heart, like to thank each and every member of our community and business who supported our various fundraising efforts.
Without you, this would not have been possible."
Some of these sponsors included the Rotarians, Face Adrenalin, Wilschut Signs, Melville Spar, Robberg Foods, Wooden Wonders, Pika Transport and Janet Harding.
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