South African Rhythmic Gymnast Shannon Gardiner, 18, is focused on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the journey has already begun. She will shortly be heading to Europe to compete in the World Championships and after the she has the African National Championships. Her routine on the mat is breathtaking and her training schedule is exhausting, her days filled with a variety of routines in her quest for perfection. Like most gymnasts, Shannon started as a young girl; she was just seven years old when she met her Bulgarian coach who would steer her to international success, She has travelled the world already including last year in Hungary where she placed 8th in the Budapest Gracia Fair Cup, Tokyo for the Aeon Cup and Israel for the North Rainbow Cup, where she finished 2nd overall in the All-Around and qualified in the Individual final receiving a silver and two bronze medals. Shannon is ranked 2nd in South Africa and qualified for the 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast but was denied her place due to complications in the selection procedure. The World Rhythmic Gymnastic Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria from September 10-16th will be a major event for Shannon to consolidate her standing and set her up for the African National Championships. Chris Stafford caught up with Shannon at her home in South Africa after training.
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