Queenslander and 2012 Men's Artistic Gymnastics Open Levels Gymnast of the Year Daniel Orman has had a very busy 12 months. Hear his thoughts on competing, learn about his training routine and what he enjoys most about competing.

You have had an extremely successful 12 months – both in domestic and international competition, could you tell us a little about it?

2012 was a pretty good year for me, the first year I made the Queensland Team and I won the Australian Championship for Level 7. I was selected to represent Australia at the Vitaly Scherbo Invitational held in Las Vegas; where I competed in the Level 8 division against gymnasts from across the globe. The competition was one I’ll remember for the rest of my life, I placed first overall and the team won third position. I would like to thank my coach Niall O’Leary for his patience and perseverance and my parents because without their dedication and commitment to get me to training sessions I wouldn’t be where I am today.


Can you give us an idea of what a ‘day in the life of Daniel’ is like?

I am up at 5 in the morning to do chores on the farm as often I am not home until after nine o’clock at night. I then attend school, often studying during breaks and going to the school gym in any spare time. I train 4 days a week with 3 hour training sessions and during school holidays leading up to competitions training increases. 


How do you prepare for a big event like Australian Championships?

Early season training consisted of working new skills for competition and core strength exercises. In lead up to competitions I start to do more cardio fitness and repeating routines until they are consistent enough to be ready for competition. 


Any pre-comp secret tactics? (pump up song / mental thought etc)

Well before the Vitaly Scherbo Invitational while staying at the motel I only ate Asian food from the buffet (mainly rice, honey chicken and sweet and sour pork). Before all the comps I always had a Banana Up and Go in warm up then another one halfway through the competition! I also listened to Imagine Dragons before competition as it helped clear my mind and keep me thinking about the competition.


What do you enjoy most about the Australian Championships?

The best thing about the Australian Championships would have to be getting the chance to meet gymnasts from other states and the friendships formed during this time. Also, watching the seniors compete the higher level skills which I wouldn’t normally get the chance to see at training.

Having represented South Australia at the Australian Gymnastics Championships for the past 15 years, Natasha Hammann is once again ready to lead her state into competition.

1. You’ve been an integral part of the South Australian team for many years now – how many nationals have you competed in? What keeps you motivated to keep attending?

I have competed at Nationals for 15 years, only missing one due to injury. I have a huge passion for the sport, and I couldn’t imagine my life without gymnastics.


2. What do you enjoy most about the Australian Championships?

I really enjoy the level of competition. I also enjoy renewing friendships with gymnasts from other states and meeting new people. Its also great to watch the younger gymnasts grow as athletes and achieve their goals.


3. What is your favourite skill?

I really enjoy all the tumbling elements.


4. Do you have any preparation tactics or motivational songs that you listen to before competing?

As a younger gymnast I used to have a certain song I liked to listen to. These days any of my favourite music helps me to get prepared and focused.


5. If you could have any super power what would it be?

I would like to be able to fly.

Kimberley Morrissey from Western Australian is successfully able to balance training and competing in two Gymsports, Women's Artistic Gymnastics and Acrobatic Gymnastics.

1. What are you most looking forward to about the 2013 Australian Gymnastics Championships?

I am really looking forward to having an increase in people to compete against. We have a small number of athletes in both WAG & ACR here in WA so to compete at Nationals will expose me to the best in Australia. I am really looking forward to learning a lot from the experience.


2. Which Gymsport did you start in & how did you get involved in the other sport?

I first started Women’s Artistic Gymnastics at the age of 6 and in 2011 I became fascinated with Acrobatic Gymnastics as some of my friends were athletes in this sport. In 2012, I chose to compete in both WAG & ACR but unfortunately I only just missed out (0.4) on qualifying for the team.


3. How do you divide your time so that you can successfully train for both WAG & ACR?

I train for WAG 5 days a week and 2 days a week for ACR. My training is pretty nicely linked so that I train for ACR directly after my WAG session 2 days a week. While I miss the start of the ACR session this is ok as it is only warmup which I don’t need to do as I am warm from WAG! By the time I come across my partners are warmed up ready to go & we can get straight into it.


4. What is your favourite skill in each discipline?

My favourite skill in ACR is actually one of my individuals – front aerial to splits. In WAG I love my floor routine and the tumbling runs in it.


5. If you could have any super power what would it be?

Invisibility - so I could sneak around and move things from its original place. Sometimes make things better & sometimes just for fun. 

Representing Western Australia for the second time at a National Championships is 14 year old Jade Lazarus. Jade started Rhythmic Gymnastics at just 6 years of age, because her older sister Kim was involved in the sport. Since then nearly all the girls in the Lazarus family have developed a love for the sport and have participated at both a State and National level, including her other two sisters Teri and Amy.

After starting the trend of Rhythmic Gymnastics in the family, Kim competed up to Level 8 where she represented WA at the 2004 National Championships and was a member of the silver medal winning team. Teri competed at a State level to Level 6 whilst youngest sister Amy competed in Level 7 International at the 2011 National Championships in Perth. These talented sisters are now pursuing new and exciting careers with Amy having taken up dancing, Teri is completing her final year of Commerce at Curtin University and Kim is working towards a career in acting whilst living in Los Angeles. Undoubtably their roots in gymnastics has given them sound foundations for a host of new pathways of which we wish them every success.

Meanwhile, Jade prepares for the upcoming 2013 National Championships where she will compete in the Level 9 Open competition. What Jade loves most about RG is the adrenalin rush in competition and the feeling she get when preforming in front of the judges and her family. Her goals are to not only do her best and make her State proud but to think positively and be a good team player, encouraging all the gymnasts in her team. This team driven focus is an unwavering quality of Jade’s and this very talented family.