As she does warmup stretches on a mat in her Langford living room, flexing her tiny body into shapes most adults wouldnB次元官网网址檛 dream of attempting, itB次元官网网址檚 clear Katie Evans is cut out for rhythmic gymnastics.

The 11-year-old Grade 6 Spencer middle school student, one of four Victoria Rhythmic Gymnastics members competing at the B.C. Winter Games next week in Penticton, picks up a sparkly ball.

She shifted to rhythmic only about a year ago, having done the traditional artistic gymnastics for a few years.

B次元官网网址淚 like that you get to do different routines with different apparatus ... The ball is my favourite,B次元官网网址� she says, tossing the sphere in the air. In a high-ceilinged gym sheB次元官网网址檇 throw the ball high and catching it between movements.

For those who see rhythmic gymnastics simply as B次元官网网址渢hat sport where they use ribbons,B次元官网网址� Katie points out that depending on oneB次元官网网址檚 level, apparatus also include rope, clubs, a hoop and a free routine that is much like ballet. SheB次元官网网址檒l also compete with the hoop and in the free routine at the Games.

The Winter Games fall right in the middle of competition season for her sport. The Island championships follow the week after Penticton, then provincials happen the first weekend in April.

During the week she trains with her Shoreline Community School-based club 12 hours per week in three sessions. She practises another three to four hours a week at home. B次元官网网址淭he key in rhythmic is really around flexibility; core strength and flexibility,B次元官网网址� said KatieB次元官网网址檚 dad Morgan.

At the Games, Katie will be focused on her events B次元官网网址� her goal is to finish on the podium B次元官网网址� but sheB次元官网网址檚 excited to participate in non-competitive activities, too. B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檒l be cool to see some of the athletes,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚 want to watch some of the other sports, like skating.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com