Humboldt鈥檚 Taylor Possberg won men鈥檚 artistic athlete of the year for levels 1-3 at a Gymnastics Saskatchewan Awards Gala.
On Nov. 5 in Regina, he received his award - but it took a few tries.
鈥淲hen they announced my name, I didn鈥檛 think it was me, so they had to announce it again,鈥� Possberg says.
The 10-year-old has been practicing gymnastics since he was a toddler. This year was particularly successful, with a 1st all-around at competitions in Yorkton and Saskatoon and a 2nd all-around in Regina.
Possberg says his favourite is the pommel - 鈥渘ot that many people can do it鈥� - and he doesn鈥檛 enjoy the floor as much - 鈥淚鈥檓 not that flexible.鈥�
His favourite part of gymnastics is meeting new people. Possberg plans to keep practicing the sport until he makes it to the Olympics. His short-term goal is to move up a level from his current level two.
Carolyn MacLean is president of the board at Calico Gymnastics, where Possberg trains. She was excited to hear about his award.
鈥淚t was just amazing because we鈥檙e a fairly small club to be able to have such a successful gymnast and be recognized for it,鈥� she says.
鈥淚 just hope that he keeps the love for the sport and maybe spreads it to others because gymnastics is such a subjective sport as well. It鈥檚 nice that he鈥檚 recognized but it鈥檚 nice that he has a true love for gymnastics and I think that鈥檚 the most important.
鈥淚f he can share that with our community, especially with Calico Gymnastics having a new facility, hopefully we can get more boys involved through his love and dedication to the sport.鈥�
Possberg was honoured alongside another athlete from his gym.
Marie Millette, another 10-year-old from Calico, was recognized for her success after winning all-around provincial champion at the Junior Olympic 6 level.
鈥淪he was very honoured, especially because Isabela Onyshko, who was on the Olympic Canadian team, was the one who presented her the award鈥n behalf of Gymnastics Saskatchewan,鈥� says Roxanne Millette, her mother.
Marie, who trains 16 hours a week, is aiming to compete at the next level up - Junior Olympic 7.
鈥淪he鈥檚 been doing gymnastics since she was probably 3 or 4 and just really enjoyed it and liked watching the big girls and wanted to be like them,鈥� Millette says.
鈥淎s long as she鈥檚 enjoying it and enjoying the training, she can stay in it as long as she wants and we鈥檒l support her.鈥�
