11 October 2024, Issue 1231
Bold aspirations Eight-year-old Selwyn Ridge School student Azaria Tai has wowed judges in her first competitive gymnastics season. The smiley, bright and extremely dedicated gymnast is determined to get to the Olympics and represent
New Zealand when she’s older. For now, she’s working hard to learn new tricks and she practices in the loungeroom at home constantly. Her supportive mum Kelsey Gaby is in awe of Tai’s talents and wants her to achieve her dreams.
“She just blew everyone away,” said Gaby. “She’s a natural and she spends every single moment practicing.” Gaby wants to do everything she can to get Tai to achieve her dream, but competitive gymnastics is an expensive
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sport, and she is struggling to keep up with the costs on top of looking after her other children. Gaby doesn’t want their financial situation to prevent Tai from achieving her dream. Read more on page 16. Photo: David Hall.