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ARETALK, Issue 3 - Megan Splain

Continuing with our series of interviews with some awesome goddess-like gymnasts. We really hope you have been enjoying reading the articles and getting to know some of your favourites in UK gymnastics, and that they inspire you to work hard and try to reach your own potential!  

 

Issue 3, May 2018  

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From a gymnast’s eye

 

Meet one of the 2017 British Junior Squad members, from Leatherhead & Dorking Gymnastics Club, Megan Splain…...

 

From her very first year of competition, Megan Splain has shown grace, elegance and an extraordinary affinity for the beam. Her talent has seen her gain many medals and titles over the years; from placing second at the National Voluntary 4 Finals in 2011 at the age of 9, to placing 3rd AA, 1st on vault and beam and 3rd on floor at the Magical Classic in the USA in 2017. An experienced gymnast, her hard work has secured her a place on the National Squad numerous times, and she continues to progress, impress, and inspire!

 

Life as a gymnast   

Q: What is your favourite apparatus and why? 

A: my favourite apparatus is the beam, which everyone is normally quite shocked about because it’s quite scary flipping on a 10cm wide wooden plank! I love the beam because it is a challenge which is what I like in gymnastics and it is such an amazing achievement to achieve something on the beam because it’s such a hard apparatus to tackle. You can do so many different skills and combinations on the beam which is why I like it as I love experimenting to make my beam routine the most unique it can be.

 

Q: Do you enjoy competing?

A: I love competing because I love the amazing atmosphere and all the cheering from the audience always gives me a buzz inside. I also feel it’s an opportunity to show of your new moves and what you are capable of which I like to be able to do.

 

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

A: I have always struggled with my confidence in gymnastics as skills don’t necessarily come easy to me. I don’t believe in myself as much as I could which in a sense holds me back however as I’ve got older I’ve realised that gymnastics is so much fun and no matter how good of a gymnast you are you should be proud and have confidence as you are very talented for what you do!

 

Q: What is preparation for competitions like?

A: I always have the same preparation routine that I do in the gym leading up to competitions, my routine that I compete I will practise constantly in the gym and I will always visualise my routine going well which then keeps my mind focus for when I compete.

 

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

A: I have a lot of small rituals that I do but my main one is that I always have to have the same meal, the day of the competition. I also create a playlist on my phone which motivates me right before I’m about to compete.

 

 Q: Do you have any goals? What are they? 

A: my goal for the future would to be able to travel around the world competing in loads of internationals but I have also wanted to perform in cirque du soleil ever since I was little therefore I would love that dream to come true one day.

 

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

A: my advice would be to keep persevering. Gymnastics is one of the toughest sports because nothing ever comes easy. That one skill that you have been working on for ages that still hasn’t come and all you want to do is just give up! You can’t because the day you do it will feel like the greatest achievement ever and that’s because you have worked so hard for it. People may constantly put you down but you have to be strong and brave because one day that hard work will pay of so don’t give up!

 

Q: Do you have any top tips for gymnasts? 

A: my top tips for gymnasts would be to never give up no matter how many times you have fallen down and to simply just enjoy it!

 

Get to know the gymnast  

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

 A: I love to socialise with my friends and go to lots of different places all around the world when I go on holiday with my family. Sometimes I love a good movie night but I dedicate most of my time to the gym.

 

Q: What is your favourite movie?

A: my favourite film is Blended which is a rom com and I absolutely love those types of movies as they are so funny.

 

Q: What is your favourite food?

A: my favourite food would be Chinese because there is so much to choose from but I do have a bit of a sweet tooth and love a good dessert like chocolate cake.

 

This or that?  

Q: Books or Films? 

A: I absolutely love a good rom com when I go to the cinemas and I also love science fiction films. I don’t really read that often however my favourite books would be the maze runner series.

 

Q: Cats or Dogs?

A: I have a cat and a dog but I have to say I love my cat to pieces and so would slightly favour him over my dog.

 

Q: Sun or Snow

 A: definitely sun!

 

Q: Morning or Night time

 A: I prefer night times as I prefer to have a good lay in before I have to do anything.

 

 

Megan competing at the British championships in 2017

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