Gymnast Georgia Nugent shares her formula for success
An inspiring Gympie teen has opened up on her secrets to success and how she overcame challenges after bringing home bronze medals from the Special Olympics.
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A Gympie teen has made Australia and her family proud after bringing home three bronze medals in gymnastics from the 2023 Berlin Special Olympics.
Georgia Nugent, who has an intellectual impairment and autism was part of a 64-strong team to compete in nine different sports in Germany from June 17-25.
Winning bronze in floor was a huge achievement for the 18-year-old as she said she struggled to remember the floor routines.
Taking a bronze on the balance beam was something she also really enjoyed.
“It was a surprise, I didn’t think I would win any medals. I just wanted to do my best,” Ms Nugent said.
Her mum Annette Nugent said the medals were really a “bonus” and what made her so proud of her daughter was “she was able to travel overseas and overcome her anxiety and homesickness”.
“Her high levels of anxiety are crippling a lot of the time for her so to overcome that in itself was huge,” her mother said.
Ms Nugent said she was “very nervous” before the competition but was able to manage it with breathing and finger techniques her occupational therapist Jodi Hayward taught her.
She said with support from her family, the community, her occupational therapist and coach Natalie Upshall she was able to raise funds to travel and feel prepared going into the games.
The teenager had a great time, making new friends and learning about the history of Berlin, and said as soon as she got back home she slept.
For other athletes hoping to make the Olympics, Ms Nugent’s advice was to train hard.
For now, Ms Nugent is focusing on returning to year 12 at Gympie Special School and completing her work experience in childcare.
“I will go to Gymnastics Nationals at the Gold Coast at the end of September and I’m hoping to win more competitions,” she said.
The Nugents wanted to thank everyone in the community for the support and donations that helped get the star athlete to Berlin.
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