Durban gymnast flips toward her dreams

HANDSTANDS, homework and hope. That's the routine of Durban gymnast Hanna Chengiah who is preparing for the Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

It’s a dream that few teenagers achieve and even fewer dare to dream, but Hanna is not your typical 14-year-old.

While her peers are navigating school, friends and hobbies, the Bluff resident is in the gym for 18 hours a week, defying gravity and pushing herself to be more flexible, fearless and faster.

“I feel very excited and privileged to be going to such a place at my age. Excited, happy and a little bit nervous at the same time,” she told the Independent on Saturday this week.

In Bulgaria, Hanna and her four teammates will compete in the group event against gymnasts from 19 other countries; the best in the world. They'll be contestants in two disciplines, hoops and clubs.

She says they’ve taken on many champions in the past and through prayer and motivation they've managed to swirl to victory. “We believe that we are going to be the best and we are going to do our best,” she said.