“Bring home the gold” was a phrase always said to her ahead of a journey. While the common saying is just another thing to say, Zhea Patrick took that quite literally.
Competing at her second South Africa Gym Games Nationals in Centurion earlier this month, Zhea took gold in the Vault, achieving some of her best scores. Here she competed in her Western Province Colours after winning gold for the same category in Saldanha Bay.
Zhea’s win at nationals came as a surprise to mom, Rozette, who is always focussed on her daughter’s scores.
“When they tell us the scores, I would always jot it down and send it to the family,” she says. “I don’t listen to other scores. I look at Zhea and note her scores. When they called her name, I was so shocked. She actually won gold.
“I cried in that moment. It was tears of joy and proudness. So many emotions. All the hard work, the sacrifices, the perseverance, effort paid off. To be competing against nine provinces, it was amazing. You are always just glad for the opportunity, not everyone gets to qualify to compete at this level.”
At nationals, Zhea competed against over 200 other gymnasts from around the country in Level five. She has now officially progressed to Level Six.
It takes a lot of planning and sacrifice between practising in Lansdowne and Melkbosstrand while living in Zeekoevlei and attending school in Claremont.
“It has many highs and lows,” says Rozette. “It’s dealing with the ‘mommy, I can’t do this’, the planning and the leaving school early.”
Zhea brims with confidence when talking about her craft.
Having been enrolled at Future Stars Gymnastics in Lansdowne at the age of seven, she has worked hard to date to hone her craft, competing in four apparatus – Vault, Floor, Bar and Beam.
Vault is by far her favourite.
“A lot of people think vault is difficult, but it is easy for me. I do a lot of pull-ups and that helps,” she says.
Although a very short career, spanning only four years, Zhea understands that she still has a long way to go before reaching her dream of becoming an Olympian.
“Not yet. That is level 10, I am only a Level Six,” she is quick to point out.
Gymnastics was a bit of fun in 2019 when she signed up, but now Zhea works hard and gives her best.
“I used to jump on the trampoline and swing on the monkey bars. Then, my mom saw I was very good at cartwheels, so she signed me up for gymnastics and I told my mom that I loved it,” she says.
The rest is history.
“My goal is to represent South Africa. But, it takes a lot of hard work to do that. I practise everyday after my homework,” she says.
Outside gymnastics, she wants to pursue a career in medicine as a neurosurgeon.
For Zhea, she encourages all to follow their dreams.
“Reach for the stars and work hard. If you don’t make it, just keep trying.”
