ERIN Bell may only be 10-years-old, but there’s a steely determination behind her eyes when she tells Northglen News she’s going for gold next year. At this year’s National Gymnastic champs in Cape Town, the Durban North resident not only improved on last year’s bronze medal but also won gold on the bar apparatus in the U10 class 2 category.

“It was my third nationals and though I was a little intimidated at first, I grew in confidence as the competition wore on. I was really happy and excited about claiming the silver medal and next year I’m going to aim for gold,” she said.

A member of the Durban North Gymnastics Club, Erin said she fell in love with the sport the first time she tried out.

“My dad’s friend saw me doing cartwheels at the park and said I’d make a good gymnast. So he suggested joining the club,” she explained.

Besides her tenacity and hard work it would seem the Northlands Primary School Grade 4 pupil also has gymnastics in her genes.

“My great grandmother was a trapeze artist for Bell’s Circus and my great grandfather was a world famous clown. I think that’s who I take after,” she said.

Erin also secured gold at this year’s KZN nationals.