Jordana wins fitness gold
While many children her age are slumped in front of the television a Tawa girl has just won a Wellington fitness competition.
Jordana Brackenbury, 11, has just competed in the 2016 NZIFBB Wellington Championship Competition held at Wellington High School.
‘‘It was really good but I was very nervous at the start because there were about 800 people watching me,’’ she said.
The children’s section was a new category at the competition, which is the region’s main body building event, and saw contestants compete with a 90 second routine showing off their fitness and flexibility.
Winning was a big surprise, the Tawa Intermediate pupil said.
‘‘I was scared I wasn’t going to remember my routine but I did amd I’m proud of myself...my medal is huge and I got to take it home.’’
Jordana has danced since she was 3 years old and starred in the 2014 World of Wearable Arts Show.
She said although she enjoys all styles of dancing including bal- let and jazz her new found passion is the ‘Acro’ style.
‘‘It’s what the acrobats do, up high on the silks and it’s about being flexible and doing tricks.’’
Her mother Angela Clark said acro was a style of dance that combined classical dance technique with precision acrobatic elements.
The skills Jordana used in the dance allowed her to compete confidently in the competition, she said.
‘‘It’s a really positive sport for young girls who learn that bodies can be fit and healthy, it’s not judged on looks.’’
Jordana said her fitness routine consisted of a range of strength and flexibility exercises choreographed by her trainer Sally White.
‘‘She’s the person that inspires me and she’s my idol’’.
White won the Women’s Fitness section at the competition and would be competing with Jordana at the National Championships held in Wellington in October.
The Porirua woman said she was honoured to be named as the person inspiring Jordana in her competitions.
‘‘That’s just so sweet, that’s really really lovely.’’
White said she was a dance teacher for about nine years and is now a personal trainer helping dancers reach their full potential.
She took first overall in the competition last year and said she hoped to do it again this year.