GYMNASTICS: With the 2017 Australian Gymnastics Championships fast approaching, Women’s Artistic Gymnastics athlete Emily Little has her eyes on the National prize.
The London 2012 Olympian expressed her happiness with her recent performances at the Cottbus, Melbourne, Baku and Doha World Cup events, where the 23-year- old finished on the podium in every competition.
There were some reservations adapting to the new structure, but she couldn’t be happier to how it turned out, and credits her coaches Coral, Josh and Nikolai for her excellent accomplishment.
Her recent World Cup podium finishes have Little sitting at the top of the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) World rankings on Vault, Balance Beam and Floor; a position Little will look to cement when the series entres its second year of the cycle.
“My total focus now is Nationals, as well as working hard to compete at Worlds in Canada later in the year,” Little said.
The Australian Championships in Melbourne will run for two weeks at Hisense Arena – from May 22 to June 4 - and Little is eager to again compete in front of a big crowd, and to build on her recent good form.
“I’m looking forward to competing in the All-Around [competition], and after working on getting my Bars routine right…I’d love to finish on the podium!
“I had an amazing time competing in front of a home crowd at the Melbourne World Cup event, so hopefully the same fantastic support can spur me on at Nationals,” she continued.
A big part of Little’s career has been the continued support of her mum, who Little jokes "should be up on the podium with me sometimes", due to the countless years of driving her to and from training on a regular basis.
Little made her Olympic debut at London at the age of 18, where she finished 15th in the All-Around individual competition, and 10th in the team event alongside her four teammates.
“The experience was impossible to describe - it really was a once in a lifetime experience, she said of her Olympic debut.
"’d been wanting to compete at the Olympics my whole life, and it didn’t disappoint one bit!”
In 2015 Little was awarded a scholarship with the Layne Beachley Foundation, and describes meeting the former surfer as one of the high points in her career.
“It made me feel that there was support behind me, and I wasn’t in this alone,” Little explained.
“Our sport isn’t really appreciated financially, so it’s hard to be able to survive off the floor,” she said.
A recent sponsorship with E Fire and Safety has given Little much needed support, and she hopes other athletes look to businesses and organisations for funding to support their sporting endeavours.
Outside of competing, Little keeps a low profile, with a standard day comprising of sleep, study, training, "and of course Netflix".
Don’t miss your chance to catch Emily Little live in action at the 2017 Australian Gymnastics Championships – secure your seats now!
Ben Morello
Gymnastics Australia
