Ethan heading for international competitions
KENSINGTON – Ethan ready to perform on an international platform.
National trampoline gymnast Ethan Strydom, a Kensington resident, is passionate about gymnastics and ready to take the international platform by storm.
The 14-year-old Strydom has been doing gymnastics since 2009. “I got into the sport by chance. My friend introduced me to gymnastics. I liked it and have been hooked ever since,” said Strydom.
He is a member of the Edenvale Masters Gymnasts Club and now has his eyes on the Olympics, but for him achieve this goal he has to participate in a number of international competitions.
This year he will be participating in three international competitions which will be in July, October and November.
In July, he will be representing his team at the Scalabiscup International Competition. “I’m looking forward to the competition in order to learn new skills because everyone in the competition is highly skilled and we all there to have fun,” said Strydom.
Scalabiscup is an international event, open to all affiliated clubs in the respective federations. This also includes representatives of national federations and district or regional associations. The competition will take place in Portugal.
One of the challenges is the high cost of the fees that have to be paid for the competitions. There will be an event hosted at the Barnyard Theatre at Emperors Place to raise funds on 31 March.
Read: SA gymnast prepares for world games
“The event will be a musical afternoon and there will also be a raffle where great prizes can be won. We invite the community to support us and help Ethan fulfill his dreams,” said Menke Strydom, Ethan’s mother.
The Express asked Ethan how his gymnastic journey had been for him? “The journey has been amazing and going to Portugal on an international platform is an achievement for him,” said Strydom.
He added that it had not always been an easy journey and he has had challenges especially because he is tall. “I have to push myself twice as hard because of my height but I love the challenge.”
Strydom also represented South Africa in December at the Region 5 competition in Mozambique.
The purpose of the Region 5 competition is to prepare up-and-coming talented youth for international competition and also to promote and develop the sport in the southern African region.
“We would like to thank everyone who has been supporting us. Thank you to Rush SA for allowing us to use their facilities for free every morning to train and for his coach Alex Demianenko dedicating and growing Ethan’s skills,” concluded Menke.
Details: Menke Strydom 082 924 8358
Do you have an interesting story to share with the community? Send us your story to joburgeast@caxton.coza.
