Sportsmanship guides star rhythmic gymnast Angelina Boland

Angelina Boland exceeds expectations to come away from the Australian Gymnastics Championships with three medals

North Ryde gymnast Angelina Boland competing at the Australian Gymnastics Championships

Angelina Boland’s achievements in 2018 are almost too many to count.

The 13-year-old rhythmic gymnast from North Ryde dominated at the 2018 state championships, taking out the title in ribbon and ball and finishing runner-up in hoop.

Angelina then represented NSW at the Australian championships where she added a bronze team medal and a silver medal in ribbon as well as an overall silver to her season tally.

Her mum Psyche said Angelina only started focusing on rhythmic gymnastics this year.

“She was a NSW representative for both acrobatic and rhythmic gymnastics in the previous year, having to compete in both disciplines on the same day in 2017,” she said.

“This year she decided to focus on rhythmic gymnastics, showing massive improvements in learning difficult skills in such a short time. Her achievements at the Australian championships this year were beyond expectations as her ultimate goal was just to make it to nationals.

“She is an extremely hardworking gymnast with big goals and dreams in this beautiful sport.”

Mrs Boland added that Angelina’ best quality is her selflessness away from the mat.

“She has always been a friendly competitor, cheering on her teammates and fellow competitors and sharing their excitement when they have a good performance as well as offering words of encouragement.

“Having competed in a trio in acrobatic gymnastics in the past years at nationals, Angelina has always been very excited to be a part of a team and is always keen to support and cheer on all her teammates and competitors’ successes.”