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St Mary MacKillop student backflips into gold

01/11/2012

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Year 5 student, Ethan McGuinness, won gold at the 2012 Indo Pacific Trampoline Championships

St Mary MacKillop’s principal, Michael Siciliano, said the whole school community was very proud of Ethan’s achievements.

On Thursday 18 October, Year 5 student, Ethan McGuinness from St Mary MacKillop Primary, Penrith South, won gold at the 2012 Indo Pacific Trampoline Championships held at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush.

The championships are held biennually with athletes from countries along the Pacific and Indian Oceans the chance to compete internationally in four different trampoline disciplines including Individual Trampoline, Synchronised Trampoline, Double-Mini Trampoline and Tumbling.

Achieving first place in the Men’s Tumbling in the 11-12 age group on the international stage, Ethan, who has been involved in the sport since he was eight, said the competition was ‘a great experience’.

‘It was one of the longest times away from home I’ve ever had, but it was great to meet a lot of other athletes from Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Thailand,’ said Ethan of the nine-day camp of training and competition. ‘I felt nervous going into the competition but straight after I landed my first pass I was pretty happy and confident that I could do my second pass.’

Ethan qualified for the Indo Pacific Championships when he competed in the Sub Junior Men’s Tumbling at the 2012 Australian Gymnastics Championships in May. He was the only 11-year old male in Australia to master the eight ‘skills’ (tumbles).

Ethan said hearing the national anthem play in honour of his achievement at the Indo Pacific Championships was a highlight.

‘They played the national anthem for each gold medallist,’ said Ethan. ‘I felt really proud to stand on the dais with the anthem playing because I won gold for Australia.’

St Mary MacKillop’s principal, Michael Siciliano, said the whole school community was very proud of Ethan’s achievements.

‘When the students and staff viewed a video of Ethan in competition, there were gasps of surprise at his ability and an overwhelming applause at the end of his routine,’ said Michael.

Watch Ethan McGuinness’ first pass in the qualifying round at the Indo Pacific Championships: