Trampoline prodigy prepares for World Championships
04/09/2009 A 12-year-old Canadian trampoline prodigy is putting in 25 hours practise a week ahead of the forthcoming World Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.
Tamara O'Brien has already won seven medals in seven events at this year's Canadian gymnastics championships.
The young Coquitlam gymnast is the first to accomplish such a feat according to coach Barb Fraser.
She also won Canadian titles in tumbling and double mini trampoline. In November, she heads to the world tumbling and trampoline championships in Russia.
Gymnastics Canada is already sizing her up for the trampoline competition in the 2012 London Olympics.
"She goes to an ordinary school with ordinary kids, but she is kind of a phenomenon," said Fraser.
Her mother, Tina Geulen, got her into gymnastics at the age of two, and now the young starlet's life revolves around the gym, the practise routine and international travel.
Tamara trains between 20 and 25 hours a week while most trampoline athletes train between six and 12 hours a week.
Tamara O'Brien has already won seven medals in seven events at this year's Canadian gymnastics championships.
The young Coquitlam gymnast is the first to accomplish such a feat according to coach Barb Fraser.
She also won Canadian titles in tumbling and double mini trampoline. In November, she heads to the world tumbling and trampoline championships in Russia.
Gymnastics Canada is already sizing her up for the trampoline competition in the 2012 London Olympics.
"She goes to an ordinary school with ordinary kids, but she is kind of a phenomenon," said Fraser.
Her mother, Tina Geulen, got her into gymnastics at the age of two, and now the young starlet's life revolves around the gym, the practise routine and international travel.
Tamara trains between 20 and 25 hours a week while most trampoline athletes train between six and 12 hours a week.
