Local Sports Star: Julian Tavares youngest boy from NSW to compete at the National Gymnastics Championships

SELF-PROCLAIMED “monkey” Julian Tavares, 10, was the youngest boy in NSW to compete at the National Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne — not that it showed.

Julian Tavares, 10, was the youngest NSW boy to compete at the National Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne last week. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

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SELF-PROCLAIMED “monkey” Julian Tavares, 10, was the youngest NSW boy to compete at the National Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne — not that it showed.

The Campsie gymnast helped NSW bring home silver overall in the two day competition.

Individually he placed fourth, no small feat according to his coach Tim Corey of Australian Academy of Gymnastics in Belmore.

“To come up fourth overall in his first year at nationals and being only 10 — he’s done very well,” he said.

“Most people go a few times before they hope to place.”

Julian Tavares, 10, says his ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Corey said in the five years he has trained Julian across the six men’s artistic apparatuses, he has seen him become increasingly focused.

“He was a bit of a terror when he first came — he couldn’t keep still to save himself.

“After a couple of years ... there’s no event he doesn't excel at. His ability to stay focused and get through repetitions helps get him ahead of other kids.”

Julian agreed with his coach: “I was a monkey when I was at mum’s house.

“We came here (to the academy) with my old school for sport so I told mum and she signed me in,” he said.

“I love it ... my ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics.”

Julian competes across all men’s artistic events: floor, pommel, rings, vault and high bar, but loves parallel bar most.

This year Julian won NSW state champion for level seven and last year he won state elite athlete for 2016.

His determination has made him this week’s Local Sports Star nominee for Junior Sports Star ­Individual.

LSS has five categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Stars Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team and Service to Sport.

Nominate someone: localsportsstars.com.au