Trinityhouse Glenvista’s Grade Four learner, 10-year-old Rorisang Rakotsoana, recently competed in the Ekurhuleni District Artistic Gymnastics Gauteng qualifiers.

She won a gold medal, received her Ekurhuleni district colours and earned an invitation to represent the Ekurhuleni Artistic Gymnastics at the Gauteng Festival.

Her accomplishments don’t stop there. Rorisang is proving herself to be a multi-talented athlete on land and in the water.

She participated in the Swimming South Africa (SSA) Level 2 Regional Championships, competing against swimmers from the SADC region, including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and athletes from Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

Rorisang swam 10 events, setting several personal bests and meeting the SSA Level 2 standards in all. She finished fifth in the women’s 12-and-under 4x50m medley relay, fifth in the 12-and-under 4x50m mixed medley and 11th in the 50m butterfly.

She now aims for promotion to level 3 for the 2025/2026 season.

Rorisang began swimming at age three, inspired by her older brother, Letlotlo, an exceptional swimmer.

“She is a water baby and truly enjoys being in the pool. She started swimming competitively in June 2024 after registering with SSA as a Level 1 swimmer under the Cardinals Club with coach Claire Baty,” said Rorisang’s mother, Motsei Rakotsoana.

A top gymnast in the making

Her early start in sports has played a pivotal role in her development. Rorisang started ballet at the age of three, which ignited a passion for acrobatics through dance routines that emphasised posture and balance.

Her passion for gymnastics grew after watching Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in history.

“After watching Simone Biles’ documentary, she insisted we register her for artistic gymnastics and tumbling. We found the Alberton Twisters Gymnastics Club, and she is happy there, receiving excellent training,” said her mother.

Consistent training and gymnastics classes laid the foundation for her competition readiness. Engaging in sports such as swimming and tennis helped her maintain emotional and physical balance during competitions.

“She maintains a balanced and nutritious diet to ensure she gets all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a high-performing athlete,” added her mother.

Rorisang reacted positively to her invitation to represent Ekurhuleni at the Gauteng Festival. She is accustomed to major swimming competitions and remains gracious in her successes.

“Rorisang is level-headed, performs well under pressure and sets realistic goals. She trusts the process and was grateful for the opportunity, making sure she never missed training to prepare fully for the festival,” Motsei said.

Her parents hope Rorisang will use the skills gained in swimming and ballet to reach her full potential in gymnastics and compete in major competitions in the future.

Motsei hopes Rorisang will one day represent SA internationally and exceed expectations. With her hard work, dedication, resilience and humility, they believe she will succeed.

Rorisang is committed to gymnastics, attending every training session unless ill. She consistently gives her best, eats well and gets enough sleep to stay ready for training and competitions. She also watches gymnastics videos and documentaries to improve her skills.

Her gymnastics journey is supported by parental sacrifices, with her mother and father coaching her and providing psychological support.

“Her demanding schedule has taught her discipline on and off the field. She is among the top students in her grade, achieving an A average for cycle one of 2025,” said her mother.

“We thank Rorisang’s coaches at the Twisters Gymnastics Centre for their support and training. They have created a great environment for her to reach her potential. We also appreciate her tennis and soccer coaches at school for accommodating her busy schedule. Lastly, we are grateful to our extended family and friends for their encouragement. It means the world to us and Rorisang,” she concluded.

Help her reach her full potential

Rorisang’s mother encourages parents to support their children’s ambitions. She shared an inspiring post from Gino Skills Training that resonates with her: “Behind every elite athlete is a parent committed to early mornings, late nights, long drives and tough conversations. Talent is only part of the equation. Guidance, sacrifice and consistency at home are the real foundations. Elite athletes don’t happen by chance; they come from environments where accountability, support and high standards are constant. You cannot train like a pro if your circle doesn’t move like one.”

Rorisang’s parents appreciate the contributions of her school teachers, family, friends and coaches.

The financial cost of her gymnastics journey is significant. As a self-funded athlete, expenses for training, costumes, competition fees, accommodation outside Gauteng, and transport require substantial resources. Sponsorship is urgently needed, as supporting her fully is beyond her parents’ means.

“We are seeking sponsorships to support her journey. Time is also a precious resource that requires careful planning to balance school, work and extracurricular activities.”

Those interested in sponsoring Rorisang can call Motsei on 0781 847 783 or email thatorakotsoana@gmail.com or motseirakotsoana86@gmail.com