Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Gymnastics star Leolin Petersen gained valuable international experience last week when she represented South Africa at the 2024 African Trampoline Championships in Bizerte, Tunisia.

The 17-year-old Plettenberg Bay Primary alumnus participated in the 18th African Trampoline Championships from 10 to 11 May at the Fatnassi multi-sport hall.

While she was set to secure a podium spot when she made it into the finals, a tumble in the final event cost her. Despite the fall, Leolin still ended in fifth place.

Her mother who is a long-time resident of Plettenberg Bay, Helene Bezuidenhout, said that Leolin escaped the incident unscathed and gained valuable experience as a senior competitor – a category she only recently started competing in.

Leolin is back in South Africa and training at Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline in Gqeberha. She moved there to be closer to her coaches.

Next for the young gymnast will be competing in Portugal at the Coimbra Trampoline World Cup at the Pavilhão Multidesportos Mário Mexia on 6 and 7 July.

This comes after she was recently crowned as the senior female trampolinist of the year at Gymnastics South Africa's annual awards ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the Matsport Centre in Centurion, Gauteng on 23 March this year and is an annual event to celebrate gymnasts who have excelled in their disciplines during the previous year.

This was preceded by winning triple gold at the Trampoline Gymnastics SA Cup 2024 at the Fairview Sport Centre in Gqeberha.

She put on a great performance and secured first place in L9 Tumbling, L10 Euro trampoline and L11 double mini trampoline.

Last year she also made it into the South African team at the Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Championship in the UK.

This is known to be one of the most prestigious events in gymnastics. It was held in Birmingham in November and Leolin not only competed in the junior category, but was also a member of the senior South African team.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’