00:00 They've done the hard work and now it's time to perform as 10-year-old Shanika Joseph and
00:10 9-year-old Amber Budansingh will be representing Trinidad and Tobago at the Pan Am Hopes artistic
00:16 gymnastics tournament in Jamaica.
00:18 Coach of Tutts and Tumblers Clifton McDowell believes both athletes are talented in their
00:22 own way.
00:23 "Everyone is different.
00:25 Everybody has their strengths and their weaknesses."
00:27 Budansingh attends Montrose Government Primary School and Joseph attends Bergen School of
00:32 Distinction.
00:33 "How long have you been involved in gymnastics?"
00:36 "Six years."
00:37 "Who introduced you to the sport?"
00:41 "My daddy."
00:42 "Did he do gymnastics as well?"
00:45 "No."
00:46 "Do you like him to do gymnastics?"
00:47 "Kind of, yeah."
00:48 "Now you're selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago.
00:52 Do you feel a sense of pride doing so at such a young age?"
00:57 "Yes, a lot."
00:58 "What did your parents say when they heard that you got selected to represent the country?"
01:06 "They were very happy and they were saying congratulations, Amber."
01:12 "Are they prepared to make the sacrifice to see you go all the way and achieve your ambitious
01:18 goals and dreams?"
01:20 "Yes."
01:21 Meantime, Joseph has competed outside of TNT before and is transferring from Teamwork Gymnastics
01:27 Club to Tots and Tumblers.
01:30 She's also eager about her chances and knows what she's good at.
01:33 "Bars is my favorite and floor is my best."
01:43 "So what do you have to do to improve on the bars to get you up to standard?"
01:47 "Stay super tight."
01:49 "What does that mean?"
01:51 "Squeeze your body."
01:54 "So are you prepared for this level of competition now going back to Jamaica?"
01:59 "Of course."
02:00 "Where is this confidence coming from?"
02:03 "Me."
02:04 "Okay, great.
02:05 So what are your hopes for the competition if you're so confident?"
02:11 "That I get a gold medal and I win everything for Trinidad and Tobago."
02:18 "Now I understand you took second place overall last time you went to Jamaica.
02:23 Did that hurt your pride and confidence?"
02:25 "No, I still placed so I'm happy."
02:29 "You're pleased with that?"
02:30 "Yes."
02:31 "Okay, what's it like medaling?
02:34 What does that do for your confidence?"
02:36 "It boosts my confidence.
02:38 I feel very happy that I placed because I worked very hard for it."
02:43 The two athletes left for the tournament today, following which they will enter a camp for
02:47 a select few of talented gymnasts.
02:49 Sergio Dufour, TV6 Sport.
02:51 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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