After the rhythmic gymnastics classification competition in June, 2015, I changed our practice schedule. Samantha started doing it almost everyday right after the competition. She would start with a warm up and whatever elements or steps introduced that week.
I found that nearing the competition time, I wasn't really stressed that much. In fact, the last week before the competition, I didn't push her much. She had back ache two weeks earlier so I was a bit worried. Good thing it went off. Hundreds of possibilities were running inside my head like... what if... what if... oh well, you know.... mothers? Hehehe. Okay, let's not get into that.
I am just glad it was nothing to worry about.
And so, this time, we prayed that somehow, Samantha would get a gold or two. Haha! Too ambitious. But then, I was more hopeful because Samantha practiced practically almost everyday... only to learn later that she wasn't doing some of her elements correctly. But we still kept our fingers crossed.
We still prayed for gold (or two) anyway.
What do we know, on that day, they changed the grading and grouping system. Usually, the girls were grouped according to the age category. Each group then would have 3 - 4 girls competing against each other. This time, 5 groups were merged into one, leaving the gymnasts to compete against 15 other gymnasts.
It was tough, we thought. But we prayed... so...
There were two routines that Samantha participated in: Ball routine and hoop routine. I had high hopes for the ball routine because she's been getting extra training for the forthcoming Queen's Cup (will talk about this later).
The results for the ball routine were posted up first. When I got the chance to check, Samantha ranked 7th out of 16.
Ok.
That was not so bad, knowing that she scored an average of 7.0. Her highest score since she joined gymnastics so far.
The hoop routine results were not posted... of all things.
So I sat on the floor, with my camera lugged, just expecting nothing... ok.. expecting a little, because I prayed, remember?
They called the winners for the ball routine first.
Then the hoop routine.
My heart skipped a beat.
3rd, place, something Chinese name; 2nd place, something Chinese name; 1st place; it was Jan Samantha! Leaped to my feet in a flash. I couldn't believe it. I was shaking holding up my camera taking photo of her getting her gold medal. She won 1st out of 16! I was blown away!
She finally did it! It was a gold, finally!
Praise God indeed, for the favour!
The next two apparatus to conquer before she goes to Grade 2 would be clubs and ribbon. I am so looking forward to those routines.
Here's Jan Samantha's winning Ball Routine performance during the 8th SRGC Rhythmic Gymnastics Classification Competition II in November, 2015.
Wanna leave you with this verse that I held on during the competition and will hold on to:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7 (KJV)
