Grade Two pupil, Talia Chahwanda dazzles at Harare Provincial Gymnastics championship

A grade two pupil, Talia Chahwanda stole the show at the Harare Provincial Gymnastics championships after bagging three first-place finishes at an event held at The Hub this Saturday.

With the Paris Olympics Games fast approaching, the whole world is waiting anxiously to see what Simone Biles the most decorated gymnast off all time is going to do at her fourth Olympics.

While the world is focused on Paris, Zimbabwe might have unearthed the next Simone Biles in seven year old Talia Chahwanda, who dazzled at the Harare Gymnastics Championship.

The Grade two pupil grabbed three first-place finishes and the overall gold accolade, showing her total dominance of the sport.

The youngster showed some rhythmic movements that had the crowd cheering as Harare held first biggest competition of the year.

Her mother Emmah Chahwanda is seeing a future Olympian.

“I am very happy for her and we will continue to support her because I can see her going to the Olympics,” said the mother.

Family support has been cited as a great motivator for athletes.

Parent, Filza Cassam said, “As families, we need to continue supporting our children. I support my daughter in everything and afford her time to train at home.”

The provincial association has also made huge strides in spreading the sport in most schools in Harare.

“We have schools from Chitungwiza, Dzivaresekwa, Mufakose, Chisipiti, and Avondale, showing how diverse the sport is and we have been making deliberate efforts to spread the game to all corners of the province. Right now, we have a centre in Mufakose and we have assigned a coach who trains at Rutendo Hall every week to grow the sport there,” said Harare Province Gymnastics Association’s chairperson, Erasmus Garakara.

The championship saw kids from as young as ECD level up to High School level participating.