Trampolinist bounces his way to the top

CALEB Burton started bouncing on his backyard trampoline at the age of two. Now he’s a gymnastics champion.

Hassall Grove gymnast Caleb Burton in training at Gymnastic Australia's elite centre at Rooty Hill.

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CALEB Burton started bouncing on his backyard trampoline at the age of two.

He has been bouncing pretty much ever since, apart from pesky interruptions for things like meals, sleep and going to school.

All that bouncing was bound to pay off.

The almost 10-year-old, from Hassall Grove, took up competitive trampolining last year, and within six months he had won a state level two title.

He is this week’s nomination in the NewsLocal and Rebel Junior Sports Star awards.

Caleb was the only junior boy to qualify for the trampoline and double mini tramp at the recent national gymnastic championships in Melbourne, finishing seventh, with a fifth in the synchronised trampoline as well.

He’s the only gymnast his age who attempts the Barani (a front somersault followed by a half twist) and the exotically named “crash dive ball out half”, which is a late somersault onto his back, then a forward somersault with a half twist.

“At first I was a bit nervous that I would do a face plant, but I soon got used to it,” said Caleb.

“If I’ve done something a couple of times I’m confident.”

“What they like about Caleb is that he’ll just go for it,” said his mum Tamie. “He has no fear.”

Caleb, whose ambition is to go the Olympics, loves the “tingling, exciting” feeling of flying like a bird.

He trains for two hours three times a week at the Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre at Rooty Hill.

The NewsLocal Junior Sports Star is sponsored by Rebel.

To nominate a talented junior athlete or team, visit the website juniorsportsstar.com.au