PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Local gymnastics star Leolin Petersen showed that she is ready to represent her country in Bulgaria at the Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships later this year when she raked in two gold medals and a silver at the Gymnastics South Africa National Championships in Gauteng this week.
The 16-year-old Plettenberg Bay Primary School alumnus, who is currently attending Framesby High School in Gqeberha to be closer to gymnastics coaches, was recently chosen to represent South Africa at the Federation for International Gymnastics (FIG) Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Bulgaria.
Not only did she manage to secure the three medals at the competition in Gauteng, she also applied for her visa for her trip to Bulgaria after a massive fundraising initiative by her mother, Helen Bezuidenhout, to make the journey a reality.
She flew Plett's flag high by winning gold in tumbling and Euro trampoline as well as a silver medal for double-mini.
"We are all so proud of her great performance at the SA championships," Bezuidenhout said. She said that, thanks to the generosity of the Plett community, all her official costs for the world championships have been paid and she only needs money for a new suitcase and to keep her going while she is in Bulgaria.
Almost R40 000 was needed for a deposit to secure her spot and almost R13 000 to cover the rest.
While finances are very tight for her family, Bezuidenhout, a longtime New Horizons resident, came up with a plan to raise the money: baking Hertzoggies and other sweet treats.
The community jumped in to support the effort, buying the home-baked treats and donating enough to cover the costs. CemAir also came on board and sponsored Leolin's flights to Gauteng for the recent competition.
Petersen is currently being trained by renowned gymnastics coaches Mandy Zoonekynd and Lee Budler of Mandy's School of Tumbling and Trampoline. Bezuidenhout said her daughter has been dreaming of becoming a world-class gymnast from the age of three and her ultimate goal is to participate at the 2024 Olympic Games.
'We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news'
