Georgia Godwin has earned Tokyo Olympic Games selection after being inspired by her Japanese grandpa

A southeast Queensland gymnast has won Tokyo Olympic Games selection after recovering from a serious injury thanks to some timely inspiration from her Japanese grandad.

Georgia Godwin has earnt 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games selection after being inspired to recover from injury by the thought of performing live in front of her Japanese grandpa.

The 21-year-old gymnast is one of only a handful of athletes to already be confirmed for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The others come from shooting, diving and sailing.

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When Godwin was training to comeback from a serious ankle injury sustained last year, the thought of being on the mat in Tokyo with her grandpa in the audience lifted her.

“My grandpa is over there and he will be getting tickets to hopefully come and watch me,’’ she said.

“When it was hard during training, I thought about my grandpa and that I want to do this for him.

“I don’t think many people know my background of being Japanese.’’

The Delta Gymnastics community celebrated Georgia Godwin's Olympic selection.

Godwin returned to Brisbane from Germany yesterday to a heroes welcome at her home club of Delta Gymnastics after competing at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships.

A guard of honour was formed for her to run through, the children called out “congratulations Georgia’’ and the gym had green and gold streamers.

Georgia Godwin competes in the all-around final at the 2019 World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany.

The Moreton Bay College past student said making the Australian gymnastics team had not sunk in but over the next few days at her Manly West home, she was process her achievement.

“The moment I found out, I still had to compete in finals,’’ Godwin said.

“But I was very relived, happy, but at the same time sad the team did not make it.

“But I had to keep my eye on the finals.

“Now I can relax and think about how I can improve. But I am very happy to make it.’’

Georgia Godwin performing this month at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Delta Gymnastics director John Mitchell said Godwin was an “inspiration’’ to not only the Delta community, but the winder Australian gymnastics community.

“Like all professional sports people, Georgia has had her share of disappointments and mishaps,’’ Mitchell said.

“I think that her resilience and absolute commitment to staying authentically Georgia is what people really love about her.

“In the gym she will stop and speak with the little of girls and always has a smile and a word of encouragement to those around.’’

WORK ETHIC KEY TO GODWIN’S COMMONWEALTH GAMES’ SUCCESS

He said her coaches, Olga and Sasha Belooussov, were “very proud of Georgia’’ and how she maintained her cool under pressure at the world championships in Stuttgart when she hit eight out of eight routines.

Georgia Godwin back at Delta yesterday. She is a past student Moreton Bay College and yet another elite sportswoman to come out of the QGSSSA system..

“Now we go back into the gym and perfect some üpgrades Georgia has been working on to build her routines to be ready for the world stage in Tokyo,’’ Sasha Belooussov said.

Godwin said having three podium finishes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gave her confidence to chase her Olympic Games goal.

“At the Comm Games, it built up my confidence,’’ Godwin said.

“Then I hurt my ankle and that was a tough time for me. I did not know when I would make it back.’’

Georgia Godwin competes at the 2019 World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany.

But she returned to win the all-around at this year’s nationals, and next year’s appearance at the Olympics will be a moment to cherish for her, mum Mari, dad Gene and, of course, her proud grandpa who will be one of the few Japanese men in the crowd waving an Australian flag.