Sport
11 April, 2021
Gymnast leaps into nationals
AFTER starting gymnastics at the age of nine and experiencing many setbacks and injuries, Mareeba born and bred gymnast Callum McCarthy has taken home two state championship titles.
AFTER starting gymnastics at the age of nine and experiencing many setbacks and injuries, Mareeba born and bred gymnast Callum McCarthy has taken home two state championship titles.
Now 19, Callum currently lives on the Gold Coast and recently competed at the Queensland Gymnastics State Championships walking away with not one but two state titles.
Callum took away first for the both the Vault and Floor events in the Level 9 Open division while also taking podium positions for some of the remaining six events.
Initially with a passion for rugby league, Callum segued into gymnastics at the behest of his parents and influence from his younger sister, a decision he has not looked back on.
This is Callum’s biggest accomplishment in his gymnastics career to date with plans to further succeed in the upcoming Australian National Gymnastics Championship.
Callum’s mother Jennifer McCarthy has seen her son grow from when he first set foot on the mats to now winning a state championship, something she is extremely proud of.
“He always wanted to do anything and be in any sport he could do,” she said.
“His journey hasn’t been easy and straight forward there has been lots and lots of injuries and setbacks.
“He has just stuck at it.”
After moving down to the Gold Coast during his senior schooling years Callum experienced some back and neck injuries, ruling him out of some the upcoming seasons.
When he recovered COVID struck and the championships were yet again out of reach for Callum until this year.
Leading into the state trials two weeks before the state championships Callum ended up dislocating his thumb and partially tearing one of the ligaments.
“Obviously, my preparation wasn’t where I had hoped it would have been,” Callum said.
“I was not at 100% at the championship, I had my thumb taped up and it was giving me a bit of grief.
“When I was competing, I wasn’t too worried about what was happening, and I just went out and did my thing.”
Despite an injury Callum was pleased that he was able to go out and perform, taking away his first ever state champion title.
Now Callum will be taking it one step further as he participates in the upcoming Australian National Gymnastics Championships competition in May, going up against the other states and territories.
