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Canberra teenagers Michaela Smith and Rebecca Rainey ready for New Zealand gymnastic championships

  • Tim Warren
  • Sep 26, 2019
  • 2 min read

For most teenagers the burden of high school can be a full-time responsibility.


But for time poor gymnasts Michaela Smith and Rebecca Rainey there is no rest as they prepare for the women's artistic championships in New Zealand next month.


Michaela, 16, and Rebecca, 14, train for 24 hours a week, a duty on top of their school commitments.

Gymnasts, Michaela Smith and Rebecca Rainey, have been picked to represent Australia at an event in New Zealand in October. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

"During school it's very intense," Michaela said.


"We train 4-8pm most days, then homework starts about 9pm. We have some late nights and early mornings for training."


Both gymnasts earned selection to the tour by recording excellent results at the Australian championships held in Melbourne in May.


Rebecca gained qualification by receiving silver, while Michaela claimed bronze.


"It feels good to selected. We're obviously nervous to be representing Australia at a sport we've been doing our whole lives, but we're so motivated," Rebecca said.


The pair compete for Canberra City Gymnastics Club, which is the only club in Australia to have two athletes selected for the rep side.


A total of eight gymnasts from around Australia were selected in the team.


Both athletes are currently training for the national club competition on the Gold Coast at the end of this month, prior to departing for the championships in New Zealand.


Rebecca will compete in the junior international level nine division, while Michaela will compete in the national level ten division.

Gymnasts Michaela Smith and Rebecca Rainey with their coach Alexander Kostenko. Picture: Elesa Kurtz

The girls, along with coach Alexander Kostenko, will meet with up with the rest of the Australian team before heading to Auckland for the championships.


The 68-year-old Kostenko, although more affectionately known as Sasha, is excited to watch the girls compete overseas.


"It's a fantastic achievement for the girls to get selected in the Australian team. The club is very proud of them," Kosenko said.


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Studied at the University of Canberra.

© 2021 by Tim Warren.

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