Isabelle McQueen came second at the recent Australia Gymnastic Championships U13 category, missing out on first place by just 0.3 of a point.
The Parkwood youngster (13) also did well at the WA State Gymnastics Junior International U13 level, winning all around gold medal, gold medal on beam and silver medals for floor, bars and vault.
Isabelle’s success at the state level saw her compete at the national championships in late May where she won five medals, including team gold, silver all around, silver for floor, silver for beam and bronze on bars.
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READ NOWHer father Craig said Isabelle won more medals at the championships than any other WA gymnast.
As a result, she was invited to attend the national gymnastics camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in early July, where she was trained by gymnastics head coach.
Mr McQueen said his daughter aimed to compete in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
“Isabelle shows great sportsmanship and fairness,” he said.
“Even though gymnastics is seen as an individual sport like tennis or golf, she wills her fellow gymnasts on at competitions and was made the team captain of the WA Junior International 13s.
“Her fairness was shown when she missed out on being Australian champion by 0.3 in a score of 90.275 at the recent Australian Championships. She congratulated the winner and posed for photos with her with a big smile.”
Mr McQueen said his daughter managed to be a straight A student at Churchlands Senior High School as well as maintaining a full-on training schedule.
“She does 31 hours of training a week; that is what you have to do at the elite level,” he said.
“She gets out of bed at 5.30am every school day and we take her to HBF Challenge Stadium and she starts training at 6.45am until 9.30am and then she goes to school. At 3pm she gets picked up again from school and taken to the stadium and trains to 7pm and she does not get home to 7.30pm.”
He said on Saturdays Isabelle trained from 8am to midday.
Isabelle is the eldest of four children and has two younger sisters and a younger brother.
“She is a fine young girl and even if gymnastics in the future isn’t for her, it will hold her in good stead for life’s journey,” he said.
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