By DAVID NAGEL
TALIA Folino loves to tumble, but the 13-year-old Hampton Park gymnast is making a rapid rise in a career that seems destined for the stars.
Talia is currently competing in Australia’s premier gymnastics event, representing Waverley Gymnastics Centre at the Women’s Gymnastics National Club Championships and Victorian Championships at the Geelong Arena from November 3 to 16.
Over 500 competitors are taking part, but few have the resume of this exciting talent who cleaned up at the National Championships in May. Talia struck gold in four events, with wins in the Vault, Uneven Bars, Beam and Floor Apparatus leading to a stunning victory in the All-Round event.
“I felt very happy with that result, it really lifted my confidence and I couldn’t wait to get back to the gym and work harder on my skills,” she said.
“The challenge of gymnastics gives me a great sense of achievement. I love learning the harder skills and I’m especially enjoying building the difficulty in my routines. My dream is to represent Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.”
Talia may be young in years, but her mature attitude extends to the appreciation she has for her family, who are just as committed to her career as she is.
“My family make many sacrifices to support my gymnastics, especially getting me to and from gym and to school. My parents are my biggest influence in getting me to this stage in my career and they are constant supporters of my goals and dreams. Mum got me started when she enrolled me at the Endeavour Hills Gymnastics Club when I was three.”
Talia also acknowledged the encouragement of her team-mates and coaches at Waverley, where she spends 30 hours-plus per week, perfecting a craft that has seen her attain an International Level 10 rating.
“I started doing about two hours a week at Endeavour Hills, but as you go through the levels there’s more time involved,” said Talia, who rates US gymnast Aly Raisman as her greatest inspiration to improve.
“I love the difficult skills that she has and she is a really hard worker. I also love training alongside Larrissa Miller, she is a great role model and she trains with such good quality. I feel very lucky to train with her.”
Talia said she is excited to represent Waverley at the biggest club event in the land.
“I feel extremely privileged and proud to give back to my coaches, and Waverley Gymnastics Centre, by representing them at competitions. I also aspire to be an excellent role model to the younger athletes and to help motivate them too.”
And her favourite apparatus?
“It has to be floor … I really love to tumble.”
