North Beach gymnast Clara Kolm.
Camera IconNorth Beach gymnast Clara Kolm. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie d471434

North Beach gymnast Kolm like a bomb

Kristie LimStirling Times

NORTH Beach gymnast Clara Kolm (13), who started the sport as a two-year-old, is aiming to achieve her childhood Olympic dream over the next three years.

The WAIS scholarship holder trains at HBF Stadium and College Park Gymnastics Academy across 32 hours a week.

Clara started her junior career at kindergarten gym classes before being selected into WAIS’ Fliers gymnastics squad at the age of five.

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She has been a WA state team member for four years.

In 2016, she was invited to represent Australia at international events in Russia, Paris and Marseille, along with a training camp in Beijing.

At the 2017 Australian Gymnastics Championships, she won gold on vault, bronze on floor, fourth in all apparatus and sixth in beam in the junior international competition.

Clara said she hoped to continue her strong form at the 2017 Australian Classic held in Geelong in November.

“I went to a national camp last week in Canberra, where it was really cool to meet new people,” she said.

“We showed our routines and trained with other coaches including the new national coach.

“(My goal is) to go to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

Clara said her favourite part of gymnastics was the beam apparatus and also training with her friends.

Her mother Sharon said attending national camps gave her more confidence.

Ms Kolm said her daughter had to be organised in balancing school and gymnastics.

“It is tricky but she gets some free periods during the day so she can catch up on work but it is a bit of a juggle,” she said.

“The teachers are quite good, they email things to her and sometimes they video some lessons.”

Name: Clara Kolm Age: 13 Sport: Gymnastics Category: Individual

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