Local Sports Stars: Leila Ghazi will compete in America at world championships
Leila Ghazi will compete against the world’s best at an international aerobic gymnastics competition later this month.
Local Sports Stars
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Leila Ghazi was just 15 months old when she started gymnastics. Fast forward more than a decade and the teenager is her on way to an international competition.
The Casula athlete will be eyeing the top prize at the International Aerobic Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, which takes place over three days from July 28.
Leila, 12, will be part of a trio representing Australia, a feat she never imagined she would achieve.
She attributes her success to “listening to my coaches” and putting their feedback into practice.
It follows other recent achievements, including first place in the level seven division individual category at the recent Australian Aerobic Gymnastics Championships in Bendigo, Victoria.
At the state championships, Leila finished equal first.
The teenager has hopes of becoming a gymnastics teacher in the future and, in the meantime, spends four days training at the gym with additional dance and strength training sessions.
Her mother, Teresa De Campo-Ghazi, said she was a competitive athlete who was always gracious in defeat.
“She makes friends really easily and she likes cheering them on. She shows no jealousy towards any other competitor,” she said.
Leila has been nominated for the Local Sports Star award in the Young Sporting Spirit category.
The award recognises athletes aged 18 and under who demonstrate dedication, fairness and sportsmanship.
Nominate at localsportsstars.com.au.