Young gymnast to sharpen skills in China
Gymnast Michala Virgo left Jamaica for China on Saturday. The 11-year-old will spend two months in the Asian country as she continues to hone her skills and develop further in her favourite sport. A competitor at heart, and soon-to-be highschool student, Michala told THE STAR that she is excited about visiting China. “I am looking forward to it. I am going to make new friends. I am trying for a different level, so I want my skills to get better and I want to get more skills.” Michala’s mother, Jacqueline Powell, is very proud of her daughter. “They give her a scholarship for two months to train in China. They paid for air fare, hotel accommodations, meals and everything. She will be accompanied by her coaches. It was 14 kids and Michala was one of seven chosen from Nishada’s Gym, where she trains.
“This is another opportunity for not just her, but the other children as well. It is very challenging for the kids. Michala is elite now and Jamaica don’t have the equipment and facilities to enhance the skill sets,” Powell said.
The mother is grateful that Jamaica Amateur Gymnastics Association (JAGA) has organised such an experience for her young charge.
Michala told our news team that it was difficult to balance her studies while at the same time sharpen her gymnasts skills.
“Two weeks before GSAT I went away on a competition and it was hard, because everybody was getting to study and I wasn’t because I was overseas competing,” she said.
She believes, though, that the sport can do wonders for young girls and encourages other kids to start early.
Michala graduated from prep school on Thursday and is now looking forward to life in high school, even as she sets her sight on being a world-renowned gymnast.