CHARLOTTE SKIPS TO THE CHASE WITH WORLD GOLD
CHARLOTTE Mikkelson is turning a schoolyard game into a serious sport.
The nine-year-old spent her school holidays at the World Jump Rope Championships in Orlando, Florida.
The Reedy Creek girl’s stint in the US produced an Australian record 386 skips in three minutes, stealing the previous mark of 377 set by her coach, Elly Meteyard, in 2002.
Charlotte won gold in her three-minute and 30-second speed events, and finished fifth in her individual freestyle section.
Mum Michelle Mikkelson said Charlotte’s jump rope crusade started as something fun. “We didn’t know that she was any good and then with the first competition we were late and missed most of her event.”
“Everybody said she had done really well and I thought they were all being polite.
“When I say skipping (to people) I have to show them a video because they just don’t know it’s a sport.”
Charlotte will now concentrate on the state championships in Brisbane next year and ultimately wants to make it as an Olympian should the sport be included in future.
Skipping was a demonstration sport at Rio two years ago and has achieved observer status, one step closer to joining the Olympic line up.