A few threads lately have me thinking, how young must girls start serious training to acheive their maximum potential, if elite is the goal? I see so often comments posted that encourage the slow and steady path, there is no rush, pushing skills too young leads to burnt out and injury.
But the best senior all-around gymnasts in the world the past few years - Wieber, Komova, Mustifina, Bross, Liukin - all started competing as junior international elites when they were between 10 and 12 years old. Johnson is an exception, she didn't become elite until the ripe old age of 13!
So, what does everyone think is the answer? Obviously a girl who is competing level 4 at 8 yrs old or level 5 at 10 yrs old is not going to be on the path towards going elite at 12. At what age do we have to decide if a girl wants to go down the elite path?
But the best senior all-around gymnasts in the world the past few years - Wieber, Komova, Mustifina, Bross, Liukin - all started competing as junior international elites when they were between 10 and 12 years old. Johnson is an exception, she didn't become elite until the ripe old age of 13!
So, what does everyone think is the answer? Obviously a girl who is competing level 4 at 8 yrs old or level 5 at 10 yrs old is not going to be on the path towards going elite at 12. At what age do we have to decide if a girl wants to go down the elite path?