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Seventeen-year-old Lauryn Carpenter has been selected to represent Wales in rhythmic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games this July.
Carpenter, who hails from Treowen, near Newbridge, began her journey in rhythmic gymnastics aged ten at Crumlin-based Valleys Gymnastics Academy before switching to Llanelli Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy.
Carpenter will travel to Birmingham after taking silver across all four apparatus at the Welsh Rhythmic Championships earlier this month.
Lauryn’s mother, Kelly Carpenter, spoke about how she felt when she heard the news: “It was amazing. It has been six years, twice a day, back and forth to Cardiff to train.
“I’m just so happy that Lauryn got what she deserved after practising for eight hours a day.”
Unfortunately however, Carpenter’s training has been far from ideal after an MRI scan confirmed that she’s suffering with a stress response in her back.
Despite this, she told Caerphilly Observer it wasn’t going to stop her: “It has set me back a little bit but I’m back in training now.
“It has been difficult getting here so even if I’m broken I’m still going to be there.”
She went on to say how at times it has been “difficult” to compete against some of her friends and fellow teammates, but knows it’s part of the sport.
Carpenter and her teammates have travelled across the continent to compete this year, including to Greece, Serbia and Estonia.
“I have to just focus on myself, especially after the injury”, Carpenter said. “We’d love to get in the medals but I just want to do my best and see what happens.”
Carpenter and her fellow rhythmic gymnasts will take the stage between August 4 and 6.
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