My Life as a Gymnast (Written Sep 21 2010)

I'm going to do something different and just tell of emotions that have come about and I dedicate this note to the following people

1. Brantley Pacheco - We both are undergoing difficult times in our gymnastics career and have made a promise that will stand

2. Kerneels Bezuidenhout - one of the Middleburg guys that pays a visit to my club now and then and I have really become close friends with him

3. Mike Geldenhuys - The first youth pastor that I worked under and learnt from and who is like a father to me, and yes we are overdue for a cup of coffe

4. Richard Van Lieshout - The current youth Pastor and another close friend

5. Ivan Senekal - An awesome teammate and close friend

6. Tyrone Morris - Top SA gymnast and confidant

7. Henri De Backer - A good friend and gymnast

My passion for gymnastics really started from a young age of about 15, when my school introduced a gymnastics program, however I didnt like the program that was set out so I didn't join up (Up until then I really hadn't been exposed to the sport) and for a short years there has been this desire and I guess one day I just took that plunge and got involved in the sport and I knew instantly that I was where I was meant to be. Amongst all this there has been this dream to compete and with barriers getting in the way this year I was given that shot but it all came crashing down 2 days before provincial qualifiers when my coach felt I wasn't ready pull out, There has been emotions that I have been hiding (being a male its a natural thing) and was extremely hard on me emotionally seeing my temmates get their provincial coulours and not me. The dream is still alive and I'm am pushing for next year like you cant believe because one thing I can honestly say is "I refuse to settle for anything less". Nationals is next week and the emotions have just come flooding back as I wont be competing and I wanted to so badly. Next year is going to be the year and I'm not going to give up and I'm going to fight for this dream like you can't believe because Gymnastics is something that I am passionate about. Whats incredible and humbling is the support even from those who aren't gymnasts. I guess God has been there to lay this passion on me even by forging a friendship with a former trampolining gymnast named Donovan Wright. Its as if God was talking to me and bringing me into an environment and passion he wanted for me. I can with great desire say that Gymnastics is a huge part of my life and I'm in it to be the next best gymnast around and I have this feeling that God is going to pull something incredible out the hat and do great things with me within the sport and lifestyle of Gymnastics.