GYMNASTICS: Three of the best young gymnasts have been selected to join the Australian Youth Olympic Team (AYOT) at the second summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Nanjing, China from 16-28 August.
Australia will be represented across all three gymnastic disciplines, sending an athlete to compete in Rhythmic, Artistic and Trampoline events.
Among the rising stars, Sydneysider Tara Wilkie will be the region’s only individual Rhythmic Gymnastics representative.
“I am proud of my achievement and can’t wait to step on that competition floor and show Australia they have a champion on their side,” the 14-year-old said.
“This is so far the best thing that has ever happened to me.”
The MLC School student topped the YOG rhythmic gymnastics qualifying event for Oceania in Auckland last month scoring 10.3 on hoop, 10.85 on ball, 11.2 on clubs and 11.75 on ribbon for an all-around total of 44.1.
Set to compete against a total of only 18 individual rhythmic gymnasts at the YOG, Wilkie has set her goals high.
“My aim is to come top 10 even top six, but where ever I place, I will be happy knowing I’ve given it my best,” the young gymnast said.
“Just having the feeling to know that you were selected for the Youth Olympic Games is a big honour and achievement that I will always cherish.”
With her sights firmly on Nanjing, Wilkie admits she has bigger and better goals for her future.
“I believe it will help my career goal, because every experience on the competition floor, good or bad you learn something that will eventually benefit you. In my case [Nanjing will put] me a step closer to my ultimate goal, which is competing at the Olympic Games.”
For now the New South Welshman is working on developing and perfecting her performance in the lead up to the YOG with training six days a week for anywhere up to five hours a day all whilst juggling school.
Joining Wilkie is Adelaide’s Clay Stephens (Artistic) and Perth’s Abbie Watts (Trampoline).
The 17-year-old’s both qualified a spot in their chosen discipline after their performance at the Australian Gymnastics Championships held in Melbourne from 21 May to 1 June.
Stephens and Watts are no strangers to success having both won gold this year at the Pacific Rim Championships in Canada.
The Artistic events including Trampoline will take place from 17-24 August while the Rhythmic event will be held across two days from 26-27.
All the Gymnastic events will be held at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium.
Laura Judd
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam
2014 Australian Youth Olympic Team - Gymnastics Section:
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