Year 7 Anais Bebelman has aspirations of one day making it big, in the sport that she absolutely loves and has been involved in for the past 6 years. That sport is Rhythmic Gymnastics.
There has been an outstanding growth in codes besides netball in New Zealand throughout the past few years and girls like Anais are deciding to try sports that are different and sports that New Zealand isn’t well known for.
Anais is a very gifted gymnast and there is no shortage of talent in the Bebelman Family. Anais’ chosen sport of rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that is physically demanding and combines elements of ballet, gymnastics and dance. In a performance, rhythmic gymnasts perform a balance of jumps, leaps and pivots. Various styles of dance are also incorporated.
Anais does her rhythmic gymnastics in Counties Manukau and trains four times a week, adding up to 16 hours. She does a lot of conditioning work and stretching. Usually there are four individual routines and one group routine that is learnt and performed.
To be a rhythmic gymnast you need to be very flexible and have strength, power, agility, endurance and hand-eye co-ordination. Anais ticks all those boxes and her determination has seen her travel all around the country to cities like Invercargill, Dunedin and Wellington.
There are about 5-6 competitions every year and Anais has been able to compete at New Zealand Nationals and Xtreme Rhythmix on the North Shore among others.
When asked about what she most enjoys about the sport, she replied: “I enjoy the training and learning the routines and different styles.”
She also encourages girls to give rhythmic gymnastics a go because it’s enjoyable and she even managed to get her friend to try it.
Anais idolises 13 time world champion and 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist, Yana Kudryavtseva from Russia, and the way Anais is going at the moment with all the hard work she’s putting in, she’s bound for success.
So look out for that name – Anais Bebelman. Future rhythmic gymnast star!
Shontelle Matano
