For Parents Success stories for later starting gymnasts
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I started gymnastics at 8 years old, and am currently 13 and level 8 gymnast (training for 9). In the 5 years, I have done gymnastics I have worked extremely hard to catch up. I started competing at 10 years old (level 4), skipped level 5, and then moved up to 6,7,8. Me and my coaches goal is to compete in college (hopefully D1). Sometimes I wish I started just a couple of years earlier so I would not have to rush through the levels as much but I believe everything worked out the way it was supposed to and I hope that my dream of competing in college comes true. Also, I think I know a couple of collegiate gymnasts who started gymnastics at 11 and still made D1! So anything is possible with enough hard work.
What age are you thinking? For some, 6yr old is considered old. Others think 11-12.
Here are the stories of two that started around that age and made it to the Olympics. Really, anything is possible... http://beautifulgymnastics.blogspot.com/2012/09/late-starters.html
Although I started gymnastics when I was 5, it took me awhile to get into a good competitive program. I started pre team when I was eight, and stayed their until 11, turning 12 that year, when I transitioned to level 3. I actually repeated Level 3, but after that, I worked my butt off from there, and went through the rest of the levels in a matter of 3 years. 4, 5, 7, all in one year. I progressed a lot. Then Level 8, Level 9 and after those three years I reached Level 10, where I am now! In the Future International program at my gym currently.
And I don't ever plan on quitting. Adult classes, here I come! But I'm still not done with competitive yet. Worlds? Yes please!
All you need is hard work, passion, and determination, and you can get through. And eliminate mental blocks. How I did that was know my friend had fallen on her head and she said it didn't hurt too bad, so I just thought, well, now I'm safe!
And I don't ever plan on quitting. Adult classes, here I come! But I'm still not done with competitive yet. Worlds? Yes please!
All you need is hard work, passion, and determination, and you can get through. And eliminate mental blocks. How I did that was know my friend had fallen on her head and she said it didn't hurt too bad, so I just thought, well, now I'm safe!
My daughter did her first recreational class at 10 years old. She could not do a back bend when she started (and honestly is still not the most flexible gymnast). But she loved it, she's worked incredibly hard, and after a second year in a pre-competitive level she attended her first level 2 competition at 12 years old. Since then she's progressed steadily, skipping levels, and at 16 will be heading into level 8 (hopefully) this fall. She'd love to have a chance at a college team, but I'm not sure if that will happen. However, the plan is to go to our local university and keep training at her home club if she wants to continue and perhaps switch to another institution if a scholarship opportunity arises. I would say this is likely atypical, but I don't feel finding her passion later will have hurt her in the long run. She's gotten so much out of the sport beyond the outcomes of the competitions. And the journey continues!
I started when I was very young, but I didnt start competing until I was 10 (xcel bronze) Now I am 15 and training level 9.
My daughter did not have the same kind of success mentioned above, but I still consider her a success story for a late starting gymnast.
She started in pre-team at 11, competed Xcel Silver at 12, Gold for 13-15, then 2 years of Platinum. (covid did ruin a lot of her Platinum time; HS class of 2021).
She didn't feel like her time with gymnastics was through, so she sought out club gymnastics teams when college searching, and just completed her freshman year in NAIGC. She had so much fun!
She is still getting new skills, even though the gymnasts are coaching themselves and each other, and she is so excited for next year.
I think she would tell you that although her journey hasn't been what most parents consider the ultimate goal for a gymnast, it has worked out very well for her. She still loves doing gymnastics!
She started in pre-team at 11, competed Xcel Silver at 12, Gold for 13-15, then 2 years of Platinum. (covid did ruin a lot of her Platinum time; HS class of 2021).
She didn't feel like her time with gymnastics was through, so she sought out club gymnastics teams when college searching, and just completed her freshman year in NAIGC. She had so much fun!
She is still getting new skills, even though the gymnasts are coaching themselves and each other, and she is so excited for next year.
I think she would tell you that although her journey hasn't been what most parents consider the ultimate goal for a gymnast, it has worked out very well for her. She still loves doing gymnastics!
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