South Hills gymnast set for Zimbabwe champs

Gymnast Kaylie Nelson (15) of South Hills discovered her passion for gymnastics three years ago. Her natural talent for flipping and bouncing on a trampoline in her backyard ignited her interest in the sport.

After encouragement from a friend, Kaylie joined the Alberton Gymnastics Club, now known as the Legacy Gymnastics Club. There, she honed her skills and pursued her love for gymnastics.

In September, Kaylie showcased her skills at the SA Games National Championship, dominating the women’s artistic level four (14+ yrs) category and securing first place.

Her performance earned her two golds, one silver, and one bronze medal, enriching her collection of 30 medals and trophies amassed over her gymnastics journey. She has also earned her Ekurhuleni District and Gauteng Championship colours for three consecutive years.

Most recently, she earned her federation colours and made the selection to be a part of the SA team competing in the upcoming Region Five competition in Zimbabwe in December.

The competition will feature teams from Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. This accomplishment is significant for her and her club.

Her commitment, dedication and perseverance were evident in her achievements over the past three years.

Her mother, Sonjia Nelson, said, “Standing on the podium and being told a few days later that she will represent SA in Zimbabwe still feels surreal. It’s amazing to see that all her hard work was worth it, and it made us, as her parents, incredibly proud. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would represent SA in such a short time? This is truly a dream come true and the start of a bright future ahead in gymnastics, in which she is incredibly talented.”

Achieving success in gymnastics has been filled with obstacles. The sport’s rigorous physical demands often result in injuries, and finding a balance between training and academics can be overwhelming. Despite these challenges, Kaylie has persevered, facing financial difficulties because her parents have struggled to support her endeavours fully.

The sport requires significant financial investment for entry fees, travel, accommodation, attire and competition expenses, all of which she has had to self-fund.

“In five years, she hopes to represent SA internationally and possibly even debut in the Olympics.”

Kaylie, a former learner at Learskool Montanus, is not just a talent to watch; she is a testament to hard work, dedication, and trusting God. She displays the spirit of gymnastics in SA.

Let’s join forces to secure her victory by donating or sponsoring to cover her costs.

“Your support will make all the difference,” she said.

For more information, call Sonjia on 071 609 1525.