PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay's own Leolin Petersen has stamped her authority on African trampoline gymnastics after delivering a convincing double-gold performance at the recent African Senior Trampoline Championships held in Tshwane, winning both the individual and synchro titles in a breakthrough continental showing for her.

The hometown favourite, long regarded locally as synonymous with trampoline gymnastics excellence, produced a composed and high-difficulty set of routines to secure her place at the top of the African standings and underline her growing international promise.

"It feels amazing! It's my first big title for trampoline in my career since I was very young. To share a title with my teammate as well for synchro makes it very special, we're pretty happy," Petersen said in an exclusive interview with Knysna-Plett Herald.

Confidence

Going into the championships, confidence was not in short supply. Petersen admitted she believed gold was within reach provided she delivered clean execution.

"I was actually expecting two gold medals. I knew I had enough difficulty to be able to get the gold. All I had to do was finish my routines."

But the path to victory was anything but smooth. A shaky warm-up nearly disrupted her rhythm before the final.

"After my warm-up I was a little worried because I was struggling to do my skills. When I got onto the tramp, I just kept calm and told myself that I could do it; just finish the routine," she explained.

That mental reset proved decisive as she held her nerve through a demanding individual final to secure gold against a competitive field. 

In synchro, Petersen partnered with long-time teammate Simonique Grobler from Cape Town, with timing, trust and experience playing a key role in their success.

"Simonique and I have been partners in synchro before, so we knew what to do. She recently came back from an injury, meaning she was jumping lower than normal. All I told her was to do her routine and I would follow."

Preparation for the championships was far from ideal, with limited equipment and injury setbacks shaping the build-up.

"We actually did not train much before we got there. We don't have two trampolines, so it's quite difficult to practise for it. We only got to train on the Monday when we arrived. In this regard I think experience pulled us through," she said.

Injury challenges

Petersen also revealed she was managing persistent shin splints leading into compe-tition that kept her from doing full, hard training.

"You have to rest, skip a few training sessions, focus on strength and conditioning, and avoid overworking the injury." Recovery, she added, is a key part of managing the demands of elite trampoline gymnastics.

While both titles carried significance, the individual gold stood out most.

"My individual medal definitely means a lot more to me. I knew I was going to medal in synchro anyway, since there were only two teams. But for individual, there were five other girls I was competing against."

Her final routine nearly slipped away after a mid-air adjustment forced her to adapt on the spot.

"There actually was a moment during my final routine where I had to change a skill midway because I almost hit the padding. Afterwards, I thought maybe the gold had slipped through my fingers."

World stage

Looking ahead, Petersen is already setting ambitious targets on the world stage.

"Earning these two gold medals at this level means a lot because it shows what I'm capable of doing. A few more years and I could be in the Olympics and become the first South African to go to the Olympics for trampoline."

She credited her coach and family support structure for her continued rise.

"My coach, Lee Budler, never gave up on me. He saw the potential when I joined the club in 2019 and has worked with me since then. My parents also keep encouraging me and reminding me they're proud no matter what."

With the African crown secured, attention shifts to international ambitions.

"The next target is to medal at the World Championships in November, hopefully in double mini trampoline as well."

Read previous articles:

Triple gold for Protea gymnast | Knysna-Plett Herald 

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