Gymnast Makenzie Murphy sets her sights on Olympics

GYMNAST Makenzie Murphy may be one of the hardest working Junior Sports Star nominees.

GYMNAST Makenzie Murphy may be one of the hardest working nominees in the Macarthur Chronicle Junior Sports Star competition, with a 15-hour training schedule each week.

That hard work paid off for the 10-year-old when she won a gold medal in the ­under-11s tumbling final at the Gymnastic Australia national championships last month.

Mother Rachel Murphy is proud of her daughter.

"She just loves the sport and she's so dedicated," Mrs Murphy said.

"Makenzie trains 13 hours a week for gymnastics and another two hours on the trampoline and it's inspiring to see such a young girl have such a drive for success."

The national gold medal came just one year after taking up the trampoline and tumbling side of gymnastics with the successful Ingleburn RSL Youth Club.

Makenzie also won a bronze in the under-11s double mini final and placed fifth in the trampoline final.

She took up the sport of gymnastics five years ago and Mrs Murphy said her daughter had taken the transition easily.

"She's only been doing the trampoline and tumbling side of it for a year and she's done so well," she said.

"Makenzie has the gymnastics background, which really helps, but all her ­sisters are gymnasts and she's just grown up in that environment."

Mrs Murphy said her daughter had expressed an Olympic desire since taking up the sport.

"She's always said she wants to compete in the Olympics and she's on the right track because she's in the national development program for Gymnastics NSW," she said.

Makenzie also enjoys cross-country running and has represented St Helens Park Public School and the zone.

Rebel is the sponsor of the Junior Sports Star awards.