A Taste of Gold

Our little gymnast.

This morning was Khloe's first competition for Women's Artistic Gymnastic, Compulsory A, Age 9, Level 2 . She exceeded expectations. She blew us away. She was incredible. Today is one for the books. 

She started this gymnastics journey with no clue of what a competitive world is like. All she know is that she loves gymnastics. She started at 4y.o. for a Spring and Summer session with Club Jump (Recreational gymnastics only). Just for a try. She was excited then, because that year, they don't offer Acro Class for her age, at her dance school. Gymnastics captured her heart. However, she chose to take ballet and acro for Fall. So gymnastics was pushed again for every Spring and Summer. 

Then, Gymnastics Energy, a club for both recreational and competitive gymnastics, moved closer to the heart of the city. This was in 2016, when Khloe was 7 y.o. I've been wanting to register Khloe here because of good feedback, especially with training. I wanna see how far Khloe will go. 

So Spring of 2016, she started in Gymnastics Energy. After her first session with Sr. Rec. Girls, she was advised to do the Summer Session to prepare for a test, so as to be considered for Mini Stars/Interclub, their feeder program for competitive gymnastics. Khloe took the Summer Session, and did the test. Just like that, she was asked to register for Mini-Stars (a younger group for 4-6y.o., as her skills are not as strong enough for Interclub). She started the Fall with Mini-Stars, and come October, she got invited to train for Pre-Comp as part of the ODP (Ontario Development Program) come November.

It was whirlwind. I was hesitant at first, because being part of the competitive program is double the hours of a recreational, and double the cost as well. It also involves parent-volunteer hours and fundraising campaign. We have to think twice. Khloe was nervous, too. The thought of competition scared the heck out of her. But it is such a sweet invitation. Khloe was so proud of herself to be invited, given that she's only been  with the club for 6 months. 

November 2016 started the whole parade of crazy schedules that left our lives up side down. The fact that she is not a strong athlete yet, and training so late, the first competition coming January 2017 is like a storm looming. But Khloe, the trooper that she is, trained like a pro, molded her skinny built into this rigorous world of gymnastics. 

Come January 2017 competition, ODP level, and she surprised us with an All-around Silver. Second competition gave her another Silver for All-around, and her 3rd competition finally landed her with an All-around Gold. This is depite preparing for a recital for Ballet and Acro, which happened two days before her last competition. 

And just because Khloe is into the competitive world, her outlook in life changed. NOPE. She still still the same Khloe. She even added swimming into our crazy schedule. She even managed to get the most coveted academic award in school year end -- Literacy Award for her grade. This is a back-to-back award for her every year end. She still managed to maintain her straight As. 

So as a treat, we had a weekend-getaway to the Big Apple, New York City. This is our treat for her, as she added the Eye of the Tiger Award for the Yearend Banquet of Gymnastics Energy on the top of her academic award. 

Only to come back for another 4 weeks of Compulsory Gymnastics Camp for the Summer. No rest there, indeed. But I think, once an athlete, always an athlete. The 2 extra weeks she rested away from training, which she filled with a STEM camp and a Robotics Camp. More brains, no training is NO good for a gymnast, that Khloe can't wait to be back for Fall. 

September 2017 Fall started.. and we ended up with this first competition today. No qualms, no expectations.. Khloe surprised us today with:

Gold - Vault

Gold - Beam

Bronze - Bars

7th - Floor 

Bronze - All-around!

Special Award - "Most Confident On Beam".

Totally surprised... it took us moments and back at home before it all sunk in. Our very own, Khloe Chantalle, got herself some GOLD!!

You gotta be kidding me? But surely those Gold Medals are real. 

We are so proud of this patootie.. and we are so happy to see that proud smile on her face. 

Aim high...hold on to your dreams.

That Podium, with no. 1 on it, was just once a dream for her. Today, she was on it..not once, but twice.

Can't be any prouder!