Gymnastics: Kawerau teen soaring high in gymnastics

Kawerau's Devon Kahika-Campbell, 17, competing at the Mid-Island Gym Sports Junior and Senior Artistic Competition in Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser

While a lot of young athletes know what it's like to train in their backyard with a rugby ball or cricket bat - Kawerau gymnast Devon Kahika-Campbell trains with his very own pommel horse at home.

Devon, 17, was part of a huge gymnastics competition held in Rotorua at the weekend, with about 400 entrants taking part.

The Whakatane High School student, who travels to Rotorua three times a week to train, competed in one of the highest divisions at the competition, showcasing his skills on the vault, floor, pommel, rings, parallel bars and high bars.

He said his favourite event would have to be the pommel horse - which looks similar to a horse and saddle.

"It's hard and most people aren't very good at it. That and the high bars would probably be my favourite events," he said. "I have a pommel at home as well."

Devon currently competes in Men's Artistic Gymnastics (MAG) level seven.

"That is when you start making up your own routines and adding your own tricks and things," he said. "Usually you go up a level each year."

Level nine is as far as you can go before you enter the open, or international, class. Devon said his goal was to keep going as far as he can.

"Yeah, I want to go as far as I can as long as I still enjoy it. I will probably do judging and coaching when I am finished [competing]."

His family have also tried their hand at gymnastics.

"My brother did it so my parents threw me into it when I was like 6," he said. "It is just fun and it is like a good community."

Sixteen clubs attended the Mid-Island Gym Sports Junior and Senior Artistic Competition at the weekend in Rotorua.