Hoping to end NZ ?stay with a flourish

KIWI KEEPSAKE: Emilie Morawietz has picked up tumbling quickly and won the 17-plus category at the North Island tumbling qualifiers in Rotorua this month. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell

POWER TUMBLING

EMILIE Morawietz had just arrived from Germany for a year of study in Gisborne when she watched her host compete in power tumbling.

She decided to give it a go and quickly followed in the footsteps of Gisborne tumbler and gymnast Amy Baldacchino.

Less than a year on, Morawietz, 16, has a gold medal.

Turning 17 this year, she won it in the 17-plus category in the North Island tumbling qualifiers in Rotorua this month.

She is preparing for the Central Champs in Gisborne next month and hopes to finish her stay in New Zealand with a flourish at the North Island Champs in July.

From Stuttgart, Morawietz is studying at Gisborne Girls’ High School.

“I wanted to come to a small town, with beaches,” she said.

“I love it here. The people are open and friendly.”

During her first weekend in Gisborne, she watched Baldacchino compete.

“I thought ‘I want to try that’,” Morawietz said.

She put her success in the sport down to good coaching.

Her coach Doug Callahan said she picked up tumbling quickly.

“If she had her way, she would train seven days a week,” he said.

“She also helps me coach. The little kids get on with her extremely well.”