Emily Pine was taking the bus to a gymnastics club, Gymnastifun, with her friend and gymnastics teammate, Kerry. “I wonder which of the two teams that competed yesterday for the regional final were eliminated?” said Kerry.
“Me too. I hope it’s Team Tremendous,” Emily replied.
“Yeah,” Kerry shuddered at the thought of battling Team Tremendous. Team Tremendous were a skilled gymnastics team that was filled with bullies.
When they reached Horsfield Leisure Centre, they sprinted through the corridors, praying that they weren’t late. They dodged lockers and flew past leisure centre workers. They ended up in the gym. “Oh no. This can only mean one thing,” Kerry said nervously, seeing Team Tremendous gathered in the corner. “Hello, Kerry and Emily,” said the regional gymnastics official, Patricia, “Team Cartwheel, you will have a gymnastics showdown with Team Tremendous. The winning team will get the chance to represent the region in the tournament. First, a quick warm-up. Head and wrist rolls 8-16 counts,” “You’ll be great, Team Cartwheel!” smiled their coach, Lucy. All of the members of Team Cartwheel and Team Tremendous began their warm up.
After the warm up… “Round one. Kerry VS Juliet. Both of you must do a Backward Roll. The winner will receive 5 points. The loser will receive no points and will be eliminated,” Patricia explained. Kerry went first and did a slightly wobbly Backward Roll. Juliet followed with a perfectly executed Backward Roll. “Juliet wins. Kerry you are eliminated!” announced Patricia. Kerry walked sadly into the team corner. She had some of her drink and watched Team Tremendous celebrate.
Half an hour later, only the team captains of both sides were left. The captain that won the final event would win the showdown!
“This will be one of the biggest challenges that you will ever do in your gymnastics life,” began Patricia, “you must do the Produnova vault,” to you, that probably doesn’t sound too bad. But only two gymnasts have ever successfully completed it.
Samantha, the team captain of Team Tremendous, climbed onto the mat and sprinted forwards. She leapt onto the raised platform and bounced into the air from a handstand. She formed a tuck and spun high up into the air, before landing on her feet.
Emily nervously climbed onto the crashmat. Everyone was watching her. Her team burst into action, cheering her on, “GO EMILY!” In the other corner, Team Tremendous were sneering, “LOSE!” Emily sprinted forward, feeling the air rush past her. She leapt and landed on the raised platform. She immediately bounced from a handstand, formed herself into a tuck, and spun through the air, landing on her two feet. Emily felt amazing. She had done what only a few gymnasts had ever done! Then her excitement disappeared. Although she had practiced for a whole year, it was a tense moment… “And the winner is…” Patricia began. The tension zoomed up, and then Patricia announced “Team Cartwheel!” Emily’s team ran in, happier than ever! They had won! “Well done, Emily!” Lucy said, “Time for the nationals!”
