00:00Great athletes know the importance of practicing a winning formula, listening to coaches and
00:22executing when the big moments arise.
00:2511-year-old Tutts and Tumblers gymnast Yandi Stafford showed that she understands this
00:30at the recently concluded Carifta Gymnastics Championships and Pago Hopes Tournament in
00:35Jamaica.
00:36She rose to the occasion by putting in an extraordinary effort worthy of acknowledgement
00:41capturing 10 gold medals.
00:43How do you feel about getting 10 gold medals?
00:46I feel very proud and happy, but I don't think it was, I don't think that I, I kind
00:59of like feel the same way, I don't feel different.
01:03She impressed team member Joanne Webb.
01:06They're all winners in my books, but I have to say Yandi, Yandi Stafford, Yandi has shown
01:15that she can stand up to the pressure, right?
01:19Yandi is the athlete who would have come out of our Carifta Championships with 10 gold
01:24medals coming out of two competitions, that is the Carifta Championships and the Pago
01:31Hopes.
01:32And, you know, she, she, she stood up to the pressure.
01:37She showed that in the midst of everything, she's able to just focus and do what needs
01:43to be done.
01:44And for a child of that age, a gymnast of that age, you know, because she's what, 11
01:50years old and she, she just stood up to the pressure, she, she didn't crumble.
01:57And for that, she is my standout athlete for the year.
02:01Although she's just 11 years old, Stafford has been showing signs of brilliance from
02:05early.
02:07She's very confident in front of camera and leaves a positive impression on her peers.
02:12Everybody is very surprised and happy for me, especially my family and friends.
02:20Overconfidence does not seem like a threat as well, even though the burden of success
02:24weighs heavy around her neck.
02:26Do you get any neck pain and stuff after wearing 10 gold medals?
02:30Yes, it's very heavy.
02:32I have to like, I have to like hold it like this so it doesn't hurt my neck a lot.
02:37All right.
02:39What do you have to do to improve?
02:41Well, I feel like I try to keep my knees straight and point my toes because sometimes
02:50I just forget to do that.
02:53All right.
02:54Do you think you are an inspiration to your peers?
02:58Yeah, I feel so.
03:01All right, so next time is what, 20 medals?
03:05Well, I don't think that's possible.
03:10But if it were, Stafford would probably want to achieve it as she sets an example for others
03:14to strive towards.
03:15Sergio Dufour, TV6 Sport.
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