On 15 and 16 August I represented New Zealand at Tamara Cup, a Rhythmic Gymnastics competition in Japan.
It was an unforgettable experience and I was proud to have my country’s flag sewed to my leotards. I was very honoured to represent New Zealand and it was a great experience as my first international competition.
The first few days at the competition venue were spent training and I met lots of new people from different countries. I learnt about their training styles, goals and how they cope with stress. The venue was beautiful and well organised and I was amongst gymnasts from across the world who all created a positive atmosphere. Seeing them training inspired me a lot to work hard and try my best.
At the competition everyone was getting into the right mindset for the competition and I had to really focus as each routine felt heavy with pressure. My teammates were supportive and were cheering for us on the sides. Though it was competitive and everyone were trying their best that didn’t stop us from encouraging others. I felt that this experience truly pushed me to succeed and perform at my best.
In the end the trip was more than scores and a competition. I learned from others, developed my skills and gained confidence. This was an amazing opportunity and I am incredibly grateful for it and I’ve learned a lot.
