is it possible?

[livelifetumble8dx]

it is possible for a late starter ( say 13 year old.) who started in october ( now level 4.) make it to level 7 even 8 in a year? also, is it possible for a later starter to make scholorship or possibly olympic team by age 17? i mean, i believe the normal age for someone who wants to get to elite level, starts at 8/6 and make it to elite by 12/13 year old. so thats 4/5 or.. 6/5 years to elite? D:

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

Extremely unlikely, but a few gymnasts have made elite from a late start. Just remember they are like a drop in the ocean, the same could be said about elite gymnasts. Don't get your hopes up; but you can think of it as an 'ultimate dream goal’ to motivate yourself.
As far as level 7/8 I guess it would depend on your gym's willingness to push you through the levels and the competition calendar. You should focus more on attaining and perfecting skills, than making it to a certain level. If you rush through skills, you are more likely to get injured. Focus on what you can control (skills), you can't control judges, and gym policies/stereotypes.

 

[grizzoline]

There are rare cases. Look up Ludivine Furnon or Daiane Dos Santos. Both late starters, both very successful. Though, I would say, it's probably easier to do in a non-powerhouse country. Also, it seems like those gymnast suffer in the technical department (relatively) and rely heavily on natural ability. (ergo: you need to be VERY talented).

I wouldn't count on that and set more realistic goals. If you, as a L4 at age 13, ever make it to L 7 or 8, that's pretty amazing in itself!

 

[BlairBob]

If you start around 13 in L4, you could possibly make it to the optionals in L7/8. A lot of this will depend on a lot of factors. Flexibility and strength will help bump the curve besides possibly training more than the levels allot for (strength/flex, basic skill training at home or gym besides) provided you can recover.

Of course, innate talent, ethic, and fear are other factors besides coaching/gym.

You're not going to make the olympics that late and probably not high enough to get a collegiate scholarship somewhere to a D1. You may still be able to get on a D1 team or D2/3. Maybe a partial scholarship. Who knows.

If you could somehow continue training past high school and figure out how to do it and pay for it (training+competition fees) perhaps you could compete at a higher level later in life. It would probably be almost impossible for elites because of the USAG. Basically, you need to be something by that age of 12-14.

Gotta remember Chusovitna and Khorkina competed to an age, considered very "old". Mohini was considered old when she competed at 25 as a comeback.

 

[socko]

I agree with Pineapple Lump and the others who have posted similar replies...the progression you describe is very unlikely to happen...

 

[Billy]

My daughter went from level 2 to level 7 in two years. It is possible. It only become impossible when you stop trying.

 

[AlexsGymmyMom]

My DD is just moved up to Level 5 this month and her gym is hoping to get her to Level 7 by fall. It can be done if you have the drive to get you there! Good luck to you and please don't give up! Even if you don't make it to the olympics (which most gymmies won't)you can at least say you tried right? Then you have no regrets later!!

 

[GetaGrip]

No matter what your age is, there is always a chance that you can get to a high level if you put in the time and hard work to get there. I started competing level 4 at 11, and every coach thought that I was a waste of time on their part and that I wouldn't get anywhere in competitions. I didn't care what they said, and I started going 15 hours a week and busting my but in the gym to get as high as I could. Now it is almost exactly two years later and I am a 7/8 who can do a good amount of level 8 skills and some level 9 ones too.

No matter what the parents/coaches/younger gymnasts say, you can become a level 7/8 gymnast if you really want to. But mind you, you would be going around 20 hours a week and should have your giants, a back layout, and a back handspring on the beam.

Good luck!

 

[gymnasticslvr21]

I think it is possible but you are going to have to work your butt off. Since you are a level 4 you probably aren't going enough hours a week to get to level 7/8 in a year. So on top of your training I would suggest taking a tumbling class once or twice a week if your gym offers that. Also on your days off you should do some light conditioning and flexibilty. If you have a beam, bar, or tramp at home your should work some skills on there on your days off too. I would also recomend telling your coachs you want to get to higher levels very quickly so maybe they can help you uptrain. I would not start thinking about scholarships and the olympics yet. You still have to make level 7 first. Good luck.

 

[Bobby]

I'm just speculating (I'm not a coach or anything knowledgable) ... but I get the impression the Oz elite system (you have to be classified elite pretty young) is because they won't select anyone for a major competition (eg: olympics) unless they have at least a solid few years worth of international experience behind them.

 

[lilgymnast7]

If you really put your mind to it and you know its the only thing you want then go for it. Don't let age stop you! You may be a level 4 but you may have some 5/6 skills already. I once saw a video of a young girl who did gymnastics for 3 years and was about a level 6/7 already. It all depends on how quickly you catch onto things and progress. As for the olympics that would be a challenge but I always wanted someone that started at an older age to make it into the olympics just to prove it doesn't matter how old you are when you start. Maybe you will be that special one