‘Happy’ Manami a gym gem
Junior gymnast bursting with enthusiasm in run to state titles
Enthusiastic young gymnast Manami Brooke feels a bit like she’s on top of the world. The South Cairns Gymnastics Club star finished first overall in the WAG level 6 under 13s division at this month’s Far North Queensland Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Junior Regional Championships in Mareeba. Brooke topped the field in three of the four routine categories. “Gymnastics makes her very happy,” mum Akemi said.
ENTHUSIASTIC young gymnast Manami Brooke feels a bit like she’s on top of the world.
The South Cairns Gymnastics Club star finished first overall in the Level 6 Under 13s division at this month’s Far North Queensland Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Junior Regional Championships, held in Mareeba on August 18 and 19.
Brooke topped the field in three of the four routine categories, finishing first in the bars, beam and floor, while narrowly missing out on a place in the vault due to a deadheat result between second and third place.
The gymnast’s mother, Akemi, said it was great to see her daughter, who trains up to 13 hours a week, being rewarded for all the hard work she puts in.
“It gives her something to strive for and it’s great to see her achieve,” she said.
“Gymnastics makes very happy.”
Akemi said her daughter took up the sport when she was eight years old, in search of “something new to try”.
“She had some friends that were going to gymnastics and she also wanted to give it a go,” she said.
“She went along one day and really enjoyed it.”
Now, six years and countless puffs of chalk dust later, Brooke’s love for the sport has only increased.
In 2015, what was once a her hobby became a living, breathing passion when Brooke was one of 40 young Far North gymnasts earmarked for future representative honours and participated in a clinic run by leading Australian gymnastics coach Sasha Bellooussov.
The opportunity provided Brooke with invaluable experience and ignite her passion for the sport.
Following her success at the regional championships, Brooke’s attention now turns to next month’s state championships in Brisbane.
She will be one of four South Cairns Gymnastics Club members ravelling to the event with the Far North Queensland Regional team.
Brooke also earned selection for the 2018 Queensland State Squad, alongside South Cairns Gymnastics Club teammate Brianna Burgess, and will travel to Brisbane to train at the Gymnastics Queensland High Performance Centre.
South Cairns Gymnastics Club manager Karen Magee said Brooke was a talented gymnast with a bright future.
“She’s just one of those kids that’s so focused,” she said.
“She always trains to the very best of her ability and that’s probably why she gets the results that she does – she’s always putting in 110 per cent.” ROWAN with SPARKES