Young Thembisa gymnast wins double gold and prepares for district showdown

Agrinette Khanyile from Thafeni Section in T

Following her recent successes, Elizabetha, a Grade Seven learner at Welamlambo Primary School, will now represent the Ekurhuleni District at a competition on May 31.

Elizabetha first won gold at an inter-house competition and then repeated the feat at a friendly meet with other clubs.

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Her upcoming competition will see her compete against gymnasts from across Ekurhuleni at the Spartan Sports Centre.

“My proudest moment was receiving the gold medal,” said Elizabetha, whose passion for gymnastics has grown with every training session.

She described gymnastics as more than just a sport. It’s a lifelong journey requiring neatness, pointed toes, a tight body, confidence, and trust in her coach.

Elizabetha finds the balance beam and uneven bars the most challenging.

“Sometimes you can fall or land badly and hurt your ankles,” she explained.

She is focusing on improving her bar skills, including the cast, a move where you push your whole body away using your arms while keeping them straight and tight, along with keeping your knees tight and straight.

Her floor routine, which includes cartwheels and backwards rolls, has been a strong point.

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She aims to improve her flexibility and strength, which are vital for gymnastics, and plans to work on bar elements such as chin-ups, casts, and forward rolls next.

Support from her teammates keeps her motivated during competitions.

“They cheer each other on and are our support system,” Elizabetha said.

Her school community has also been a big encouragement.

“My class teacher and other teachers from Welamlambo Primary School came to support me, which gave me a lot of courage and confidence.

“I was the only gymnast from Thembisa and a public school, so that made me enjoy the event even more.”

Elizabetha’s biggest inspiration is her mother, Agrinette, a gymnast from a humble background at Volsoorus and now coaching at the Gymagic Club.

Agrinette is also a karate sensei with a third-degree black belt. “She is my role model and pushes me hard,” Elizabetha said.

“I feel very proud of myself because gymnastics is a rare sport in the black community.

Winning gold twice in a row after only starting this year is amazing. I also thank my mom for the extra training at home, practising even on the grass, which has made me very strong. And I thank my school teachers for all their support.”