Local gymnast qualifies for the Olympics
PARKVIEW – Caitlin Rooskranz is excited to fulfill her lifelong dream of competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Gymnast Caitlin Rooskranz (17) is ecstatic after learning that she has qualified to compete at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
In September, Caitlin made history by becoming the first South African to win a gold medal for her bar routine at the World Challenge Cup in Hungary as reported in The bar is raised [Week ending 27 September].
Soon after Hungary, the matric learner of Parktown High School for Girls competed in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Germany where she qualified for the Olympics.
“The world championships was the most prestigious competition I have ever competed in. I competed against big names and decorated gymnasts. While my beam routine did not go as well as planned, I made up for it on the bar, floor and vault,” said Caitlin.
When Caitlin heard that she had qualified for the Olympics, she felt overwhelmed.
“It took a while to set in. I felt so proud and excited not only for myself but for my country. This is my lifelong childhood dream that has finally been accomplished. This will open doors for future generations and break boundaries,” she said.
Looking ahead to the Olympics, Caitlin will study part-time next year and focus on training, staying healthy and avoiding injuries.
“At the moment, I train four and a half hours per day, six days a week. Once I’m done with matric, I will add on another two two-hour sessions in the morning each week. This year, I will work on adding new skills to my routine.”
Head coach at JGC Gymnastics, where Caitlin trains, Ilse Roets-Pelser said she was pleased with Caitlin’s performance which showed improvement from last year despite her mistake on the beam in Germany.
Roets-Pelser added that Caitlin was the first South African gymnast to qualify for the Olympics via direct qualification at the world championships and not via the African continental wild card birth.
“I am very proud of Caitlin who works very hard. For this plan to come together at the right time gives me great joy.”
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Local gymnast makes history becoming the first South African to win gold at the World Challenge Cup
