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HIGH-FLYING Sophie Moir will be vaulting into action next month as she takes on top gymnasts from around the world in an international competition in Malta.
The 10-year-old Brit is not just the youngest member in the elite Middle East Gymnastics Association (MEGA) squad, but she is also the only athlete that will be representing the kingdom in the all-star acrobatic cast that includes competitors from clubs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The little lady from Durrat Al Bahrain is far from fazed about her age and is simply looking forward to the Gymstars International Women’s Artistic Championships which will be held on July 10-14.
Sophie, a pupil at St Christopher’s School, said: “While I know it may be a big deal to be the youngest member on the team as well as the only one from Bahrain, I haven’t really thought about it. I want to perform well for the team and have fun. It’s my first international competition so I’m really nervous and excited. I have never been to Malta before so it is really cool.”
The competition format, which is divided into six categories, features team and individual participation and will be conducted over two days, Saturday and Sunday. A training camp will follow the competition.
Although this may be her first international contest, Sophie is no stranger to competitions as she has been bouncing from one event to the other since the age of six.
She has participated in six tournaments and one trial competition, winning 13 medals overall. She recently took part in the MEGA May Meet in Dubai where she performed her Malta routine for the first time and won bronze. Sophie also competed in the 9th Annual Inter-Gulf Championships in Dubai where she secured silver and a bronze.
In Bahrain, she has been training four days a week at the Children’s Health Academy of Specialised Sports Gymnastics Club, better known as CHAOSS, with coach Debbie Payne, club founder Cara Mattias and coach Mahmood Maburak.
She also practiced during her break in England and while visiting her sisters, Nicole, 16, and Lauren, 15, who both attend school in York.
Sophie also had the chance to train in Dubai with other gymnasts and coaches that she will be flying to Malta with. Mum Karen, an ice-skating coach, will be travelling to Malta and said: “I will be going with Sophie as she doesn’t really know the other girls and coaches very well. I am very excited for her as it’s a great opportunity, but I also want her to be happy with her performances and have a good time.
“My message to her is that ‘I love you so much, you worked so hard and it has not always been easy but go and have a great time’. It has been hard to balance everything as we have been travelling to England and Dubai a lot, but she has kept on top of her school work.”
