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ARETALK, Issue 5 - Lottie Smith

Here is the 5th in our series of interviews with fabulous gymnasts.  We apologise for being a bit quiet recently but really hope you are enjoying these articles, and that they continue to inspire you to work hard  to reach your own potential! #beagoddess! 

 

Issue 5, November 2018   

   

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 From a gymnast’s eye

 

Meet England Squad gymnast, Lottie Smith……

Training at Notts Gymnastics Academy, Lottie has been called upon to represent the country at numerous international competitions over the last few years; from the 2016 Leverkusen Cup in Germany to competing at last month’s Slovenian Gymnastics Federation’s Šalamunov Memorial Cup.  Lottie’s talent, skills and resolve saw her help her team, England 1, secure the gold medal position in Slovenian. Her dedication and commitment to gymnastics remains undeniable, as she continues to work hard to achieve her full potential!

 

Life as a gymnast  

 

Q: What is your favourite apparatus and why?

A: My favourite apparatus is bars and has been since I was young. It makes me feel as though I am flying especially release and catches. Bars can be very challenging and getting new skills can take a long time, but I like that. It’s very rewarding when I get a move or when I go clean in competition. I can even put up with the rips! 

 

Q: Do you enjoy competing?

A: I like competing more now than I did when I was younger. I used to get really nervous and look around at what others were doing! But now I have more experience and maturity, I just go out and try to do my best.

 

Q: What have you struggled with the most in gymnastics and what have you found easy?

A: I really struggled to learn to twist in a somersault! It took ages but with lots of perseverance from me and my coach, I got there and now its not an issue at all; I love doing tumbles with multiple twists. Learning release and catches on bars has been more natural for me and therefore easier, although not easy!

 

Q: What is preparation for competitions like?

A: I do lots of routines in training in the weeks running up to competitions, and I have control competitions too. This helps me to prepare for the limited warm up times at competitions and helps me to focus on myself.

 

Q: Do you have any strange pre-competition rituals?

A: I have a playlist on my phone that I listen to and I always have a banana before competing! I also have a mascot teddy that comes along to competitions with me!

 

Q: Do you have any goals for the future? What are they?

A: In the short term, I just want to carry on enjoying gymnastics and being the best gymnast that I can be. Maybe one day, I would like to coach and give back to the sport that has given me so much.

 

Q: What advice would you give to young aspiring gymnasts?

A: My advice would be to enjoy what you do. Gymnasts sacrifice so much to participate in the sport so it’s important to love what you do. Also, never give up no matter how tough things get. You will come out stronger in the end.

 

Q: Do you have any top tips for gymnasts?

A: My top tip would be to love what you do and try to stay positive in all situations.

 

Get to know the gymnast  

 

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not doing gym?

A: Although I don’t have a lot of free time, when I do, I like to chill out and watch Netflix or spend time with my friends and family.

 

Q: What is your favourite food?

A: My favourite food is stir fried vegetables with chicken! I could eat it every day! I also like to eat mango - fresh or dried!

 

This or that? 

 

Q: Books or Films? 

Definitely films! I like comedy films or chick flicks! Nothing too intense and definitely not scary!

 

Q: Cats or Dogs?

This is tricky as I’m not really an animal lover. I was always petrified of dogs when I was younger but this has got better, so I guess it would be dogs!

 

Q: Sun or Snow

Most definitely Sun! Snow is fun for a while but it can be an inconvenience! There’s nothing better than being outside in the sun.

 

Q: Morning or Night time

I’m always up early so am definitely a morning person!

 

 

Lottie Smith representing England at the Šalamunov Memorial Cup 19-21 October 2018 

(Click here to see Lottie’s YouTube footage of the Šalamunov Memorial)

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