Flexibility plays a role in gymnastics Young Carmona says it''s all about practising The technicalities of rhythmic gymnastics are what makes it fun and Namibian junior gymnast Clara Reyero Carmona has found comfort in the game and is ready to shine in it. Having thought that she was the least flexible person when she started gymnastics at a tender age, Clara Reyero Carmona is now Namibia''s shining rhythm gymnast.The 14-year-old Carmona started fun gym at the age of four and carried on with it at the age of six.
“At that time I was the complete opposite of a gymnast, my shoulder blades were completely out, almost like wings, and I was the least flexible person on earth,” says the bubbly Carmona, who is now in the junior national gymnastics team.
She mentions that flexibility is an asset in rhythmic gymnastics but, “if you are not willing to work hard that talent is useless.”
Carmona says she never thought of gymnastics as something that she had an option of stopping.
“I just thought of it as something which was part of my life and I guess it is because I enjoy it so much that I never truly think of it as anything but a piece of my life.”
Memorable moments
Recalling her times in gymnastics so far, Carmona describes winning gold in region five with the group routine as amazing.
“Standing there while proudly singing the Namibian anthem and watching how the flag was raised was exhilarating and was one of those moments where you just feel pure happiness.”
She adds that being able to meet and train with Sylviya Miteva was a dream come true.
She also cherishes the memories of the 2016 African Championships.
“I had amazing experience, that I met so many people from so many different cultures and made so many new friends.
“I learned that being well rested and fully energised is essential when competing and that you don''t really need to prove anything to anyone, you just need to feel the music, the apparatus and let your body do what it has been practising for so long.”
Future plans
As she dreams of being among the top gymnasts in the world, the young Carmona is inspired by her determination to be the best she can be.
“The hope, wish and determination inspire me. The fact that I can become better if I''m just willing to work a bit harder is something that motivates me in many ways,” she says.
Her dream is to become as elegant and as good as the top gymnasts in the world, such as Silviya Miteva, Carolina Rodríguez and Ganna Rizatdinova.
“The fact that I want to make my parents and coach proud also adds to that boost of energy whenever I''m feeling tired or frustrated.
“I hate having a bad day at gymnastics. I guess sometimes it feels that no matter how hard you work nothing wants to come out, almost as if I''ve never done rhythmic gymnastics before but trust me in the end hard work always pays off.” She says having the nerves take over during competition is a horrible feeling. “I never have good experiences when that happens.”
The young rhythmic gymnast says she has many changing dreams but the one that remains clear and constant is to be able to take the Namibian flag to the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
KAINO NGHITONGO