Kayla to represent South Africa at Olympic Hopes
St Teresa School learner loves the adrenaline and competitive spirit of canoeing.
Local canoeist Kayla Eva Szalay, a learner from St Teresa’s School, has been selected to be part of the Gauteng junior team to represent South Africa at Olympic Hopes in Slovakia in Europe.
The 14-year-old started canoeing as her escape mechanism while in primary school because of her learning challenges. “Canoeing is my happy place. When I am out on the water, my body and mind are as one.”
Kayla said Olympic Hopes is all about competing with the rest of the canoeing world, and it takes a lot of mental motivation to keep persevering. She states that it is her first time overseas as well as her first time going to Olympic Hopes and she will bring back all the learning experiences she had.
She said she is blessed to represent South Africa at the Olympics, and it means the world to her.
“Of course, I want to be the best of the best and come away with medals, but no matter what, I will have the proud memory of being able to compete for South Africa against the rest of the top champions in the world.”
Related articles:
