Junior Sports Star nominee Joshua De Roo runs rings around competition

Junior Sports Star nominee Joshua De Roo just keeps on winning and his sights are firmly set on representing Australia at the Olympics.

JSS - JOSHUA DE ROO

It’s only taken 18 months of training for Junior Sports Star nominee Joshua De Roo to excel in gymnastics.

“I like it because I’ve been winning a lot of comps,” he said.

Joshua said the gymnast he most admired was his own coach and Olympian Sam Simpson.

In 2013, Joshua won the NSW State title for Level 2 which allowed him to qualify for a scholarship with the club to develop his gymnastic skills.

“I train 14 hours a week. Sometimes it gets hard,” he said.

That hard work paid off as he went on to place first over all in three championships last year.

In July, the 12-year-old landed a perfect score for his high-bar routine at Rooty Hill as well as placing first.

Then in October, he placed first overall and in each individual apparatus at the State Championships.

Joshua’s mum Mahni said she was proud of her son.

“I think (his achievements) are outstanding,” she said. “From 18 months to where he is now, I can’t put it into words. I’m proud of what he has done in the competition.”

On Sunday, he added to his competition exploits with another overall win when he competed in the open level 4 division at the State Championships.

He also scored a 10.2 on floor and another 10 for the rings.

Despite his aptness for each of the apparatuses, Joshua said his favourite and best was the high bar.

The young champion said he would be working to extend his skills to be ready for competition again next year.

He has set his sights on one prize: “I want to compete in the Olympics.”

The Junior Sports Star competition entries have now closed.

The Mt Druitt-St Marys Standardwould like to thank everyone who submitted nominations; we have some amazing sporting talent and hard-working volunteers.