“I like gymnastics because I get to do flips and cartwheels constantly and discover new limits for my body.” Azaria Peyton Rajah with her mum Prentheni Rajah
LITTLE Azaria Peyton Rajah of Hayfields in Pietermaritzburg is flying high.
The 10-year-old recently received her level 2 KwaZulu-Natal colours in gymnastics.
“She was the only gold medallist in the Midlands region, scoring an overall 36.50,” said her mother, Prentheni Rajah.
“Azaria was doing cartwheels from the time she could walk. However, we decided to develop her skills in a professional and safe environment at the Pietermaritzburg Gymnastics Academy when she was five years old.”
Rajah, the owner of a transport company, said she and her husband Darren, the director of a health and safety company, share the responsibility of taking Azaria to practice.
“She faithfully attends practice twice a week. However, she practices at home every second she gets,” said the mother of two, who added that she was proud of her daughter's achievements.
“I’m proud of many things in my life, but nothing beats watching my baby girl excel in what she loves doing best. I'm extremely proud of her achievements thus far. She has rapidly progressed in the sport, and her passion and determination to do better with each time she competes is overwhelming.”
Azaria said she would love to be an Olympic gymnastics coach.
“I like gymnastics because I get to do flips and cartwheels constantly and discover new limits for my body. I want to be an Olympic gymnastics coach after I win at the Olympics one day. Aside from gymnastics, I like swimming, ice skating, and spending time with my family,” said Azaria.
She will compete in an inter-provincial competition for KwaZulu-Natal on June 14 and 15. It will be hosted by the KZN Gymnastics Union at Pinetown Gymnastics Club.
Azaria's discipline level is level 2, age category 9 to 10, where her bar, beam, vault and floor routines will be tested and scored.
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