Mmabana Gymnast Kganya Mahila is aiming for glory as she will compete at the 2022 World Age Group Championships, which is set to take place in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Hailing from Mahikeng, Mahila competes in the Level 9 category for the 13-14 year old’s.
Her love for sport began when she did Monkeynastics in Pre-School and by the time she was 6 years old, her coach encouraged her to join Mmabana Tumbling classes. Since then, Mahila has not looked back.
The young star is the only girl who will form part of the team to represent South Africa from the North West Province at the World Age Group Games and Mmabana Entity will without a doubt ensure that she and the rest of the team are supported.
Some of her career highlights include being the 2019 Tumbling national champion and North West Cup champion.
Inspired by Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Caitlin Rooskrantz, Mahila’s advice for aspiring gymnasts is that they should follow their dreams.
Speaking with Tlamelo Kganakga, Mahila chats more about her first international trip and the support she gets from her family.
Kganya, thank you for chatting to us. Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Kganya Mahila and I’m 13 years old from Mahikeng, in the North west Province. I’m a Mmabana Gymnast and I compete in the Level 9 category for 13-14 year olds.
When and where did your love for sport begin?
My love for tumbling began when I did Monkeynastic at pre-school, with Coach Isaac. When I turned 6, Coach Isaac encouraged me to join the Mmabana Tumbling classes. I began with the level 1 standard forward rolls, and when I saw the other athletes doing more advanced training and tricks on the tumbling strip, I knew I wanted to do what they did. My first competition I competed with Level 4 unlike the people who I started with who were competing with level 1.
How do you balance school and sport? Also, what kind of support are you getting from your parents?
My mom has assisted me with time management. We have agreed on a schedule that has assisted me in not swerving off my schoolwork. We have agreed on a schedule that allows me to rest, go to tumbling and do my schoolwork.
My parents are very supportive in what I do. They accompany me to my competitions, and trials. They make sure I am always on time for my training and school.
My parents also have a relationship with Coach Lebogang, who also encourages us to do well in our academic studies.
What are some of the challenges you have faced and how did you overcome them?
My challenges thus far have been injuries. When I dislocated my elbow in 2016, the recovery took over 5 months. And recently after the World Age Group trials, I bruised my outer lateral muscles and I wore a moon boot for 5 weeks. I overcame the hurdles by staying positive and continuing to go to gym even when I couldn’t train.
You are selected to be part of the National Team that will be competing at the World Age Group Games in Sofia, Bulgaria. What motivation do you get from the coach, being the only girl in the North West Province team?
Coach Lebogang is very supportive. He doesn’t treat me or other females differently. He treats us equally during the training sessions. He pushes all the athletes to do their best and better their best the next time.
Going to Bulgaria, what kind of support are you getting from your club (Mmabana)?
Mmabana is going to make sure that all the athletes logistical needs are met, these include and are not limited to, travel fares, accommodation, meals and Visa applications. The entity is also helping us build our profiles as athletes.
Please tell us how you feel about the opportunity to go to Bulgaria and what are you hoping to get from the experience?
I am very excited to be competing with other athletes from all over the world. This will be my first international trip. I am hoping to be ranked in the Top 10 in the world, just like my teammate; Vuyisile George.
What has been some of your career highlights?
Being a Tumbling national champion in 2019.
North West cup 2019 champion
And most recently being selected with some of my team members to make up the National team going to compete at the World Champs in Bulgaria in November.
Who are some of the sportswomen you admire?
Catlin Rooskrantz and Simone Biles.
What progress do young women still need to make in the field of gymnastics?
Young women should be more courageous because many are afraid of falling and breaking bones, but that all comes with this sport. It’s a very dangerous sport and requires someone to be brave and courageous.
What’s your advice to young girls who want to pursue this career and how important is it for them to take care of themselves mentally, physically and emotionally?
My advice is that they should follow their dreams and not choose the sport because of popularity, but because they are passionate about the sport. Anyone who takes up sport should eat healthy meals; train regularly and also find time to rest.
What has been your thoughts about the performance of women’s overall performance at the Commonwealth Games, particularly in gymnastics?
The South African team did very well. I followed the gymnastics and some track. I particularly followed Caitlin Rooskrantz, who inspires me to fly the SA flag, just like she is doing.
What’s your greatest career ambition?
I would love to win the World Championship Medal and I want to be respected in Tumbling, just like Simone Biles at the Olympics.
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